Grandpa ran through the trees, his gaze wildly taking in the scene. He lifted his rifle, aiming it toward Silas.
“Grandpa, shoot Billy. Hurry!” Lara clung to Gabe’s arm, afraid her son might get shot—might get harmed by the crazed goat.
Michael wailed as Silas roared in pain each time the goat rammed him, but the man courageously protected her child.
“Take the shot,” Gabe cried.
Lara could see Grandpa’s rifle shaking, even from across the wide yard. He took aim, but at that moment, the goat backed up and halted. Billy snorted, staring at the man on the ground, then trotted back to his pen as if to check on his nannies. Grandpa looked at her, lowered his rifle, and shrugged.
Lara ran toward her son, but Gabe caught up and jerked her to a stop. “Lara, let me look first.”
She nodded, tears burning her eyes at the still forms on the ground, her heart ripping in two. Don’t take my son, Lord. Please.
As Gabe approached the bodies, Grandpa kept his rifle trained on Billy. Gabe eyed the grazing goat then squatted on his heals. He rolled Silas Stone backward, and the man uttered no sound. Lara held her breath, watching her son. Suddenly, he unfolded his body, sat up, and leaped into Gabe’s arms so fast that Gabe fell over backward, groaning and then chuckling.
Though weak with relief to see Michael was safe, Lara pushed her feet into motion. Michael climbed off Gabe, hopped up, and ran to her. She bent down and scooped him into her arms. “Oh, baby.”
He hugged her for a short moment then pushed back. “I’m not a baby.”
Lara laughed out loud. “No, you’re a very brave boy, and I’m so thankful you’re not hurt.”
Michael dipped his brows, looking serious. “I was scared, but I didn’t cry.”
She hugged him again. “You’re a very brave boy.”
“Mr. Gabe is hurt.”
Lara glanced at Gabe, who laid faceup on the ground. Grandpa had tied up Billy, so she set Michael down. “Could you please fetch my medicine basket from the dugout?”
He nodded and trotted off. Still shaking, Lara hurried toward the man she loved, praying his wound wasn’t too severe. She couldn’t lose him now.
Lara sat down beside Gabe, resting her hand on his chest. She blew out a relieved sigh at the strong, steady beat of his heart. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, but I decided to rest while I was down here since it looked as if the storm was over.”
“I need to have a look at your wound.”
He pushed up to a sit, grimacing. “I need to check on Mr. Stone.”
“But you’re hurt.”
“I insist.” He grinned at her, sending butterflies dancing in her belly in spite of all that had happened, then his expression sobered. “There’s a chance he still could be dangerous.”
Lara shook her head. “I think his dangerous days are past.”
Gabe rose and walked over to the injured man. He kicked Mr. Stone’s gun away then knelt down and rolled the man onto his back. The right side of his face was covered in blood. “I suspect his back is broken, and it looks like his temple smashed against a sharp rock.” He glanced up at her and shook his head. “He’s gone.”
Lara hugged her arms to her chest, thinking about the close call they had. “It may be awful to say, but I’m glad we won’t have to worry about him returning.”
Gabe clutched his wounded arm. “Thank God the man protected Michael. Maybe it’s true that there’s some good in everyone.”
“You’re right, and I’m extremely grateful for that, but he did put my son in danger in the first place.”
The dugout door bounced against the side of the hill, and Michael trotted out with her basket.
Grandpa wrapped an arm around her shoulders then placed a kiss on her forehead. “I’m sure thankful everyone is all right. God was with us today.”
“Yes, He was.” Lara returned his hug. “Will you keep Michael busy while I tend Gabe and we do something with…Mr. Stone?”
He nodded. “C’mon, Shorty. We’ve got some fish to clean.”
Michael held out the basket to her and glanced at Silas’s body. “Is he a bad man?”
Lara passed the basket to Gabe then pulled her son against her. “Yes, but you don’t have to be concerned. He can’t bother us now.”
“He’s dead?”
“Yes.” She kissed the top of his head. “Go help Grandpa while I doctor Gabe.”
Michael leaned back, his brow puckered. “Is he gonna die, too?”
Lara’s heart jolted at the thought. She smoothed Michael’s chaotic curls and smiled. “No, sweetie. I don’t think he’s hurt that bad. You go on now, and don’t worry.”
Looking relieved, Michael ran to Grandpa and took his hand, and they disappeared through the trees.
“I do feel like I’m dying,” Gabe muttered.
“Don’t joke about such a thing.”
Fast hoofbeats sounded behind her, and Lara spun, hoping Silas Stone didn’t have a partner. Relief weakened her knees. Luke had come to help. She helped Gabe up and tugged him toward a chair she’d pulled outside earlier. “Sit down, and hold my medicine basket in your lap.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She knelt beside him, dug out her scissors, and cut his sleeve off, even though she hated ruining the nice shirt. Gabe started telling Luke what happened. When she dabbed at the wound, Gabe jerked and hissed.
“Easy, there,” he said.
“Don’t be a baby, boss.” Luke grinned. “It looks like it’s only a flesh wound.”
“Well, it’s my flesh wound, and it hurts like—” He glanced at Lara and pursed his lips. Then he turned back to Luke. “Would you get that body out of here before Michael comes back? I don’t want him seeing it again.”
Luke nodded, picked up Mr. Stone, and tossed him over Golden Boy’s back.
Lara focused on Gabe’s injury. “It is only a deep flesh wound, thank the Lord.” She cleansed the gash in his skin then applied some salve and a tight bandage. “There. That should do it.” When she rose, Gabe did, too, albeit a bit shaky.
“Lara…” He grabbed her hand. “I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I only wanted to help you and Michael in the beginning, to make things easier for you, but then you went and stole my heart, and I couldn’t stand not being in your presence.” He wobbled, and she tightened her grip on him.
“Sit, Gabe, before you fall.”
He did as ordered, leaning his head in his hands. “I’m sorry for ever complaining about those smelly goats.”
Lara smiled and gazed through the trees at the sky above. Today could have ended so differently. She could have lost the man she dearly loved. She could have become the victim of a horrible man. She owed God her gratitude.
And there was no denying that in spite of everything, she loved Gabe. The circumstances that brought them together were unique. She was sorry Tom died the way he did, but he died like he lived. Gabe might have thought he was helping her to ease his guilt, but she believed God sent him as an answer to her prayers.
After several moments of prayer, she stepped close to the chair, ran her fingers through Gabe’s hair, and pressed his head against her stomach. He held completely still, barely even breathing. “Gabe, look at me. I need to say something.”
He took a deep breath and leaned back.
“I want you to know that I forgive you for shooting Tom. I realize it wasn’t your fault. Tom never should have called you out like he did.”
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply then looked up at her. “Thank you. You can’t know how much that means to me.”
“You asked me to marry you. Today, it’s my turn. Will you marry me, Gabriel Coulter?”
The dull glaze in his eyes instantly changed to a bright gleam. He pushed up then cupped her cheek. “I most certainly will. There’s nothing I’d like better.”
She stepped even closer, careful of his arm, and leaned against him. He crushed her to his side, placing kisses
on her head. When she looked up, she knew all her prayers had finally been answered. Not the way she’d ever dreamed though. God sent her a gambler who’d won her heart, and she looked forward to spending the rest of her days with him.
Jo handed the customer her change and smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Cleary. Please come again.”
“Oh, I will, deary. Thank you for your assistance.”
With Mrs. Cleary gone, Jo relaxed, glad the store was empty for the first time in an hour. She skirted around the corner and straightened the bolts of cloth she and Mrs. Cleary had looked through. Wouldn’t Lara be surprised to learn that she’d helped women pick out dress fabric and ribbon and lace to match?
Pride soared through her. She knew that if she found a job, she could live on her own. Today marked a full week of working in Mark’s store, and it had been wonderful. Yes, it was work, but it was fun work. She especially enjoyed opening the crates and unpacking the new items. That was her favorite task so far.
She positioned two cans on a shelf to make a perfect line like Mark had showed her, and then she paused at the ready-made dresses. Mark had given her three of them as a celebration reward for leaving her family and starting life on her own. Plus he said she needed to look the part if she was going to work in his store, and wearing the dresses allowed her to tell shoppers how comfortable they were.
Footsteps sounded behind her, and she jumped and spun around. Richard, the other store clerk, wasn’t due back from lunch for another half hour. Mark stood beside her, grinning. He glanced at the front of the tent then swept her into his arms, enjoying a long, slow kiss. Her heart pounded, and her breath fled as he deepened his embrace.
Reason returned, and she pushed against his chest. “Mark,” she gasped, “what if someone walked in? Are you purposely trying to ruin my reputation?”
He shrugged, and his lips tilted in a cocky grin. “You are sleeping in my tent.”
She sucked in a loud breath and slapped his arm. “But you’re not there. You are staying in one of the hotel tents, and I sincerely hope you freely let others know that.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit like a cat who’d stolen his owner’s meat right off his dinner plate. “I’ve been thinking about that. I miss my own bed. How about you and me sharing it?”
Jo batted her eyes, stunned at his suggestive comment. “I don’t know what to say to such a horrid question.”
He strode to the front of the tent, flipped the flap down, and stalked back to her. “Don’t play coy, Jo. You know how attracted I am to you. Having you work here, sashaying down the aisles, smelling pretty, and casting me teasing looks is driving me crazy. I care for you. I want you.”
Jo backed up, totally taken off guard. She’d never expected Mark to be so forward. “If you want me in your bed, you’ll have to marry me.”
He blinked several times, frowning, then he nodded. “If that’s what it takes, let’s do it.”
Jo squealed and leaped into his arms. “I don’t believ—”
Mark’s lips crushed against hers, hard—probing. His hands roved up her spine and down low—too low. She wiggled and finally managed to get him to release her.
She bit back a smile at his puffy lips and the smoldering stare of his gaze. “When would you like to get married, Mr. Hillborne? I really think we need to discuss that important event.”
“Today. Now.”
Jo’s heart paddled like a drowning woman. “Today? How? I need a dress. I have to prepare.”
Mark waved his hand around the store. “Pick out whichever one you want, and then choose a ring. I’ll go find a preacher.”
She stood there in stunned shock as he ducked out of the tent, leaving the flap down. Joy replaced her surprise at his uncharacteristic behavior, but she was secretly delighted that he’d noticed her as she had him. And just think… “I’m getting married.”
She raced to the dresses. She already knew the one she wanted—the off-white satin—and lifted it down from the bar. Then she hurried to the case of rings that sat on the shelf behind the counter. The ruby ring with a quartet of diamonds shone up at her. Every night, she’d carried the case to Mark’s tent for safekeeping and had tried on each ring, more than once. The ruby one was her favorite, and it fit the best.
She spun around, happier than she’d ever been. Too bad Alma Lou wasn’t here to celebrate with her. And to think, she was getting married before her friend.
Richard moseyed in, picking at his teeth with a toothpick. He stopped short and stared at her. “What’s going on? Are you pretending to be a bride again?”
Jo beamed him a smile. “No pretending today. Mark and I are getting married.”
Richard’s eyes bulged. “Well, now, I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I suppose you can open the store since you’re back. I need to get dressed.”
She rushed away, enjoying the swish of the gown in her arms and the feel of the warm silver of the ring on her index finger. Wouldn’t Lara be surprised to find out she was married?
Chapter 25
Excitement bubbled through Lara as Gabe drove the wagon through the streets of Guthrie. He had ridden to town yesterday and made an appointment with a minister to marry them. She peered at him, admiring his handsome, manly profile. His skin had quickly darkened as he worked in the sun each day, and his body had slimmed from the first time she’d met him. Her soon-to-be husband was a fine-looking man. But even better, he was now a godly man.
“You’re staring.” Gabe slid a glance her way and winked.
Heat warmed her cheeks, and she looked away, studying the town. Had only a week passed since they’d left Jo here? Where was she? Had she found work? Was she safe? The questions haunted her daily, but all she could do was pray for her sister.
Her only regret was that none of her family would be at her wedding. Grandpa was on the tail end of a bout of swamp fever and not up to the long trip to town. Gabe told her Luke had suggested they might like to spend their wedding night in town alone, so he offered to keep Michael and check on Grandpa.
“I want to stop at Hillborne’s so you can pick out a ring.”
“I don’t need a ring, Gabe. We need so many other things that it seems frivolous to purchase a ring.”
Gabe pulled the wagon to a stop in front of Mark Hillborne’s store. “It doesn’t to me.” He grinned. “Consider it a brand.”
She jerked around to face him. “A what?”
He picked up her hand and rubbed his thumb up and down her ring finger. “A brand of sorts. I want every man who sees you to know you’re taken. That you’re mine.”
“Oh.” Inside, she glowed with love for this man. “In that case, I will accept your ring.”
“Good.” He squeezed her hand. “Because I was going to get one anyway.” He hopped down and hurried around to help her down. “I’m curious to see who Mark married. When I stopped by yesterday, his clerk said he’d up and gotten married, all of a sudden.”
“That sounds odd, but then maybe it wasn’t quite as sudden as the man thought. Surely Mr. Hillborne doesn’t talk about his private life with his help.”
“That may be true.” He offered his arm. “But I don’t care to talk about Mark’s new wife. I want one of my own, so c’mon.”
Blushing again, Lara took his arm and allowed him to lead her into the store. Her gaze shot to the nearest rack of thread and sewing notions. Gabe wanted her to pick out some fabric or several ready-made dresses, especially one to get married in. But she’d never had a store-bought dress before. That, too, seemed frivolous, but since she didn’t have fabric or time to make the dress she had agreed. She searched for the dresses then moved toward them while Gabe strode to the back to talk to the man at the counter.
“I hear congratulations are in order.” Gabe reached out his hand, and Mark shook it.
Lara glanced at the handsome store owner then sorted through the dozen dresses. She passed a
brown calico with small yellow flowers and a dark blue one with stripes, and her hand halted on a beautiful pale green gown. It was far too fancy for everyday use, but she could save it for a Sunday dress once they found a church to attend. She held out the princess-style skirt, admiring the lovely color and the deep gathers in the back that added fullness. The matching waist-length jacket even had leg-o’-mutton sleeves.
“That’s pretty. It almost matches your eyes.” Gabe smiled, appreciation in his gaze.
Lara held it up. “I think it will fit, but I’d rather not spend the money for it without trying it on.” She glanced around. “Do you suppose there is someplace where I can?”
“Let me ask Mark.” He spun around. “Is there somewhere my bride-to-be can try on this gown?”
“I don’t have a dressing room yet, but you’re welcome to use my tent. I’m sure my wife won’t mind. She’s due to come back in here soon anyway.”
“See,” Gabe said as he took the dress from her. He turned back to Mark. “Just point the way, if you will.”
Mark lifted a flap at the back of his tent, and they walked outside. He pointed to a smaller tent only twenty feet away. “Right over there.”
Lara looked at Mr. Hillborne. “Um…maybe you should prepare your wife. We can’t exactly knock on the door.”
He glanced back at the store. “If you two will keep an eye on my stock, I’ll let her know.”
“Happy to.” Gabe moved back inside the store a few feet and faced the front, even though they were the only customers.
Mr. Hillborne ducked into his tent and returned shortly with a woman in tow, wearing a lovely blue dress. Lara heard a gasp and lifted her gaze to the woman’s face. “Jo!” She rushed forward but halted halfway when her sister didn’t approach her. Jo looked less than thrilled to see her. “I’ve been worried sick.”
“There was no need. I found a job within a few minutes of arriving in town, and as you can see, I am married now.” She cozied up to Mark, whose face held a curious look.
“You two know each other?” he asked.
Jo’s lips pinched, but when she gazed up at Mark, her expression turned all lovey-dovey. Lara’s stomach ached. Had Jo married a man she’d only known a few days?
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