He caught up with the man outside Andrew’s cabin and offered him the lead on bringing the bank robbers in. He’d mulled it over for quite some time the night before and come to the conclusion that Marshall had earned that right. He’d been there, he’d shot at the robbers and wounded one, and he had the fire in his belly to make it happen. Not only that, but his service record was outstanding, and he deserved a chance to show more of what he was made of. Peter would have liked the recognition this kind of arrest would bring him, but he hadn’t earned it. Marshall had.
Marshall couldn’t seem to believe what he was hearing, but he accepted the responsibility with a huge grin on his face, and Peter knew it was the right decision. Being the commander meant knowing his men well enough to know what their strengths and weaknesses were, and Marshall had definitely shown his strengths.
“And now we all get to pull double shifts to cover for Andrew and to allow Marshall time to investigate,” Peter said with a sigh as he told Callie goodbye. “I’ll be home in the morning.”
“I’m sure I’ll be just fine while you’re gone,” she replied. “I’ll have Chip for company.” She nodded toward the tree line behind their cabin, where the huge bison was nosing around.
Peter laughed. “Yes, I’m sure he’s as good as any watchdog. I love you.”
“I love you too,” she replied, and he left his heart behind him as he walked off to work.
Chapter Eleven
“It’s been over a week, hasn’t it?” Callie asked as she poured syrup over her French toast. “Or I might be losing track of time.”
“Yes, that’s about right. Are you getting impatient or something, my dear?”
“More than just a little bit.” She sighed. “How long does it take to flush out a wounded train robber and his scurvy compadres?”
Peter laughed. “You sound like you’ve been reading novels.”
“I read novels quite a bit. I’ve just never discussed it with you because I thought you might not approve.”
“I approve of almost everything you do, sweetheart. In fact, I might even say that you’re just as perfect as I am.”
She raised an eyebrow. “That would be dangerous indeed. I don’t think the world is ready for an entirely perfect couple.”
“Well, you haven’t found any flaws in me, and I haven’t found any in you. What are we to assume from this?”
“Probably that we’re not looking very hard.” She reached across the table and touched his hand. “I’m so glad Victor stood me up on that train platform.”
“I’m glad he did too.”
The look in his eyes made her blush. “You’d better finish your breakfast or you’ll be late to go on your rounds, Commander,” she said.
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
***
Each week, the Mounties divided up their area into different quadrants, and those were the routes they took as they rode their rounds. This kept them from becoming bored, and it also kept them from being predictable in case of hidden criminal activity. Peter had been riding for an hour or so, enjoying the beauty of his native Canada, when he heard a shot. He spurred his horse onward, wondering who could be out in this area.
He burst into a clearing and brought his horse to a skidding stop when he saw Colleen nearly at his feet. She held a gun in her shaking hand, but she bent over and laid it on the ground as he dismounted.
“What’s going on here?” His eyes flicked from her to Marshall, who had a definite look of relief on his face.
Marshall reported the successful capture of the Cartwell gang while Colleen beamed with pride. All the members of said gang were in the abandoned cabin a little farther into the clearing, where they’d been hiding out, apparently.
“Good job, Mountie,” Peter said, clapping Marshall on the back. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy filling out the paperwork on this one.”
“I won’t mind at all. How did you find us?”
“I was just out on patrol and happened by. There wasn’t any effort on my part whatsoever.”
“I’m so glad you did, Peter.” Colleen threw her arms around him, nearly knocking him off balance, and he laughed. Then he helped Marshall bring the gang into town, leading them on their horses because they were trussed up like the varmints they were.
***
Peter had been gone a very long time. Callie wanted to bring a hot meal down to the station, but every time she checked, he hadn’t come back yet, and she was driving poor Bert crazy. “I’m sorry, Callie, but he’s still not here,” he said the fourth time she stuck her head into the office.
“I don’t know why I’m so impatient today,” she said apologetically. “I’d just feel better if he was back in town.”
“I understand, but maybe you could come up with a way to distract yourself,” Bert suggested. “Maybe a walk? Go visit Madelyn and the girls. They always love to see you.”
“That’s a good idea. I think I will.”
Callie left the Mountie office and was headed toward her friend’s house when she heard the whicker of a horse. There was Peter, breaking through the tree line, leading a horse with a tied-up man on the back. And Marshall, and Colleen, and more tied-up men . . . She stuck her head in the office and told Bert he was likely needed, and then she raced across the muddy compound toward her husband. He slid off his horse and gave her a quick kiss. “Here they are,” he told her. “All the men from your dream, present and accounted for.”
She had to blink to keep the tears from coursing down her cheeks. “This is the most wonderful news you could have given me,” she told him.
“I had very little to do with it. You should be thanking these two,” he said, motioning toward Marshall and Colleen. “I wandered in at the last minute.”
“Well, however it happened, you’re all my heroes,” Callie said. She gave her husband’s arm a squeeze and looked up into his eyes. He’d seemed restless and disturbed since Andrew had been wounded, but now he seemed more at peace. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.
“I am,” he replied. “I feel as though for this moment, all’s right with the world.”
“You know what? I think I’d have to agree.” And she didn’t care who was watching. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him good and hard.
***
Dear Mom,
Just another note from me, your doting daughter-in-law, with some good news. It seems that word of your services is spreading from coast to coast. Have you ever visited Prince Edward Island? Well, it seems like you might be about to. I’m enclosing a letter from the commander of that unit. He’ll fill you in.
I need to dash, but I’ll write again very soon, hopefully with news you’ve been very eager to hear.
Love, Jess
About Amelia C. Adams
Amelia C. Adams is a wife, a mother, an eater of chocolate, and a taker of naps. She spends her days thinking up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you just might see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels.
You can reach her at [email protected].
Please join Amelia on her website to learn more about her, sign up for her newsletter, stay on top of news and upcoming releases, and follow her on Facebook.
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The Kansas Crossroads Series:
A New Beginning (free!)
A Free Heart
The Dark and the Dawn
A Clean Slate
A Clear Hope
The Whisper of Morning
A Careless Wind
A Narrow Road
The Bitter and the Sweet
The Calm of Night
A Begrudging Bride
A Broken Wing (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
A Twisted Fate
An Unspoken Dream
A Joyful Noise
The Nurses of New York series:
Sea of Strangers
(free!)
Cause of Conflict
Touch of Tenderness
Heart of Hearts
Test of Time
The American Mail-Order Brides series:
Hope: Bride of New Jersey
Tabitha: Bride of Missouri
The Hearts of Nashville series:
Whiskey and Women
Records and Rebels
As part of the Brides of Beckham series by Kirsten Osbourne:
Mail Order Molly
As part of the River’s End Ranch series:
Accidental Agent
Rugged Rockclimber
Welcome Wagon
Santa’s Shopkeeper
Delivering Destiny
Lucky Lifeguard
Poinsettia Promises
Christmas Catch-Up III
As part of the Grandma’s Wedding Quilts series:
Meredith’s Mistake
As part of the Magnolias and Moonshine series:
Sweet Georgia Peach
As part of the Burnt River series:
Ashley’s Hope
Phoebe’s Fate
As part of the Rocky Mountain Romances series:
Utah Sunrise
As part of the Mail Order Mounties series:
Bride for Joel
Bride for Jonathan
Bride for Samuel
As part of the Seven Sons series:
Benjamin
Daniel
Frank
RNWMP: Bride for Peter (Mail Order Mounties Book 20) Page 8
