Jenny

by Bobbi Smith

  "You know, I do have a hankering for lawmen. If you ain't busy later, come on back here and see me," she said in a sultry voice, looking up at the handsome marshal with a hungry gaze.

  Jared gave her a half-smile. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm a happily married man."

  "There aren't many of those around," Caroline said, not giving up yet.

  "I'm one of them. I'll be out in the hall."

  He moved away from the predatory saloon girl and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Richard emerged from Caroline's room a few minutes later and accompanied the marshal downstairs.

  As they reached the saloon, Jared noticed Wayne Jameson at the bar.

  "Wait here," he directed Richard as he went to speak with the rancher. "Wayne-"

  Wayne looked up, surprised by the marshal's appearance and wondering what he wanted. Fear stirred within him, but he kept it disguised. "Evening, Marshal Trent."

  "I wanted to tell you rustlers hit both the Branding Iron and the Lazy S over the last couple of days. Have you had any trouble out at your place?"

  "No. Everything's been quiet."

  "Well, keep a look out. Things are getting dangerous out there right now."

  "What happened?" Wayne was instantly worried as he remembered his sister's angry mood. When she'd left the house, he'd sneaked away into town to have some fun while she was gone. He'd never imagined he'd end up hearing news here.

  "Somebody ambushed Jenny Sullivan, and one of her men."

  "Oh, my God!" Wayne's eyes widened in horror. He recalled far too clearly his sister's hatred for Jenny. "How is she? She's not dead, is she?"

  "She's alive, but her ranch hand was killed. I just thought you'd want to know about the rustling."

  "Thanks for telling me."

  Wayne was furious as he glared at Mira. He had ridden straight out to the ranch after talking to Marshal Trent and had roused Mira from a sound sleep. He could barely contain himself as he faced her down.

  "What the hell did you do, woman?"

  "What are you talking about?" she demanded, angry that he'd awakened her in the middle of the night.

  "I'm talking about you shooting Jenny Sullivan!"

  "I killed her and the man riding with her. So what?" she shot back at him, feeling quite pleased with herself.

  "Like hell you did! You didn't kill her. She's still alive."

  "What? Where did you hear that?" Mira was instantly awake, and suddenly she was more than a little frightened. She didn't know if Jenny had gotten a look at her or not.

  "I heard it straight from Marshal Trent at the Mother Lode. He said she was still alive. He also knew all about the rustling at the Branding Iron and the Lazy S, and he was warning me to keep a look out for trouble here."

  "Did he have any idea who shot them or why?"

  "The barkeep told me the reason the lawman was in the saloon was to question that Eastern dude who was staying out at her ranch."

  Mira started to tremble as relief flooded through her. "Good. They don't have any idea who did it."

  "Yet" Wayne sneered. "I can't believe you did this. I can't believe you tried to kill Jenny after you called me stupid for killing her father! You've just made things even worse for us!"

  "Damn that slut for being alive!" Mira was growing more and more angry with the situation. She'd always prided herself on her marksmanship, and she couldn't believe she'd missed such an easy target.

  "You should never have tried to shoot her," Wayne said.

  "If you hadn't killed her father, none of this would have happened in the first place!" Mira retorted, not about to take the blame for all that had happened.

  "Hell, if you'd been a better shot, we wouldn't be in this mess right now! We just need to shut up and wait and see what happens. Maybe that Richard won't be able to prove where he was, and they'll arrest him."

  Mira slowly got a grip on her fury. She began to plot what to do next. The fact that Jenny was still alive changed everything. Mira's expression grew devious as she considered what to do about Cole.

  "Where was Cole? Did you hear anything about him?" she asked.

  "No, no one said anything about him, other than the news about the rustling on the Branding Iron. If you want, after I get a couple of hours of sleep, I'll ride over to the Lazy S and see what's going on. I can tell them I heard what happened in town and came to see if I could help them out."

  "You do that," she agreed.

  "How is she?" Cole was the first one to meet Dr. Murray as he came down the stairs after examining Jenny.

  Rose, Frances, Dan, and the others came out of the parlor, too, eager to hear the news. Evelyn had gone up with the doctor and had stayed upstairs to nurse Jenny once he had finished treating her.

  "She's going to be just fine," he assured everyone.

  "Thank God," Cole said out loud, not caring if anyone heard him. Ever since the doctor had arrived, he'd been sitting there in silence, waiting for his report on Jenny's condition and praying she would be all right.

  "There may be a scar, but other than some initial weakness and headaches, she'll eventually make a full recovery. Jenny was one very lucky young woman," he told them earnestly.

  "Thank you, Dr. Murray."

  Everyone was immensely relieved that her wound was not more serious.

  "Is there anything special we need to do for her?" Frances asked.

  "I gave Evelyn the instructions upstairs. She knows what to do. Basically, Jenny just needs a lot of rest for a day or two." He looked at Cole. "Do you know who did this?"

  "Not yet, but I sent word to Marshal Trent, so maybe he'll have something to tell us soon."

  "I hope so," the doctor said. "Let me know if there's any change in Jenny's condition."

  "We will," Cole promised.

  "Is there anything else you need?"

  "No. We're just thankful that Jenny's going to be all right, Dr. Murray," Frances said, smiling at him with heart felt gratitude. "Thanks."

  "I'm glad everything is turning out this way. It could have been a far different story."

  "Thank you," Rose said.

  "I guess it's time for me to be heading back to town," the good doctor said, starting for the front door.

  "I'll ride with you," Dan said.

  He had only stayed around to make sure Jenny was going to recover. With the doctor's good news, he knew he could leave and not worry about her.

  Dan noticed the quick, surprised look that Rose sent his way. He didn't care. He just knew that he needed to get away. Ever since he'd heard Rose declare her regret that she had ever come to Durango in the first place, he knew there was no reason for him to stick around. There had never been anything between them, and there never would be.

  "Good night, Dr. Murray Dan," Frances said as they left.

  "Good night, Dan," Rose called out.

  She was confused by the way Dan was suddenly ignoring her. On their picnic, they'd talked endlessly, and when he'd kissed her, it had been wonderful. His kisses had been arousing, and his touch had been heavenly. Now, though, he didn't even seem to want to talk to her, and she wondered what was wrong. She wondered if she'd done something to anger him.

  Rose went after Dan, following him outside. She was determined, in her straightforward way, to find out what was troubling him. She didn't want to let him leave until she'd had a chance to speak with him.

  "Dan? Do you know when I'll see you again?" she asked straight out.

  Dan had already mounted up. He looked down at her, his expression unreadable.

  "No," he answered and offered no more.

  Dr. Murray stowed his bag in his carriage and climbed in. He picked up his reins.

  "Are you ready?" He looked at Dan.

  Dan nodded, then spoke to Rose one last time. "Good-bye, Rose."

  With that, he wheeled his horse around and rode out, staying alongside Dr. Murray's carriage as they headed for town.

  Rose was bereft as she watched them go.
She didn't understand what had happened to change Dan so dramatically. Earlier, he had seemed as if he really wanted to be with her, yet just now, it had seemed as if he couldn't get away from her fast enough. She'd never felt this way about a man before, and she was at a loss to know what to do.

  Rose remained where she was on the porch, staring after Dan long after he'd disappeared from sight.

  Cole was not sure what to do after Dan and the doctor left. He wasn't certain if Jenny was going to be feeling well enough to see him anytime soon, but he wasn't going anywhere. He planned never to be apart from her again, and he wanted to tell her that as soon as possible. In fact, the sooner, the better.

  Cole started out to the stable. He wanted to find Louie and talk to him about the shooting. He needed to know if Louie had any ideas about who might have done it.

  "Cole-" Evelyn had just appeared at the top of the stairs as he was going out the door, and she wanted to stop him before he left.

  He stopped and looked back to find Jenny's aunt hurrying down the steps toward him.

  "Jenny wants to see you," Evelyn told him.

  At her words, his spirits soared. He hurried upstairs to her room. He hesitated and glanced back toward Evelyn.

  "Go on in," she told him, waving him inside. "If you need me, I'll be downstairs with Frances."

  Jenny was lying motionless on the bed with her eyes closed. A white bandage swathed her forehead, and she was very pale. Cole had always thought Jenny a strong-willed woman, but in that moment he realized just how delicate and fragile she was. He realized, too, how close he had come to losing her. He loved her. Jenny meant the world to him, and he planned to spend the rest of his life proving it to her.

  Cole stood immobile in the doorway staring at her, trying to deal with the turmoil of his own emotions. Someone had tried to kill Jenny. Why?

  He wondered if Richard had been jealous enough to want to do her harm, or if rustlers had been in the area and wanted her out of the way. He tried to figure out what anyone would gain by Jenny's death, but he could find no answer.

  "Jenny?" he finally said quietly.

  Her eyes opened at the sound of his voice.

  "Oh, Cole I'm so sorry about Gene-"

  "We'll find whoever did this," he promised fiercely.

  "Thank you." She smiled up at him. "I was afraid you had gone-"

  He moved to her bedside and sat down in the chair there. He reached out and took her hand in his. His voice was husky with the power of what he was feeling for her.

  "I'm never going to leave you again," he promised. "I love you, Jenny. I have always loved you, and I don't want to live without you."

  Jenny's eyes widened at his words. "I love you, too, Cole. It just took me a while to realize it, but I do-with all my heart."

  Cole leaned forward and kissed her. It was a gentle, cherishing caress that spoke of devotion and tenderness. When he ended the kiss, he shifted reluctantly away from her. He wanted to make love to her endlessly. He wanted to take her in his arms and never let her go, but in view of her condition, he had to go slowly. There would be time later for loving. Now, he was just thrilled that she was going to be all right.

  "Cole?" Jenny looked up at him. Her eyes were aglow, and a gentle smile curved her lips. She still felt terrible, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. Nothing meant more to her than Cole's love.

  "What, love? Do you need something? Is there anything I can get you?" he asked, ready and willing to do whatever she wanted if it would make her feel better.

  "Yes, you can get me something."

  "What?"

  "You can send somebody into town to get Reverend Ford for me."

  He looked worried at her request and couldn't imagine why she needed to see him. "You want to see the reverend?"

  "Yes, right away. The sooner the better but only if you agree to marry me," she said straight out. "Will you marry me, Cole Randall, and make me the happiest woman in the world?"

  Jenny would forever remember how Cole's expression changed as she proposed to him. He went from worried to shocked to amused.

  "In a heartbeat," he answered, leaning toward her to kiss her again.

  When he finally ended the kiss, she smiled up at him lovingly.

  "I thought it would be best if I proposed to you this time;" Jenny told him.

  "Are you sure you don't want a big wedding in town?"

  "No, absolutely not. We'll be married here, privately."

  "You aren't going to change your mind at the last minute again, are you?"

  "There's no danger of that, Mr. Randall. I made a mistake two years ago, but I learned from it. I love you. I'm never going to let you go again."

  "How soon do you want to have the ceremony? When do you think you'll be feeling well enough?"

  "Let's plan on the day after tomorrow. Dr. Murray said I should be better by then."

  "Good. I'll make the arrangements."

  Cole kissed her yet another time, tenderly touching her cheek as he finally moved away from her.

  "Jenny, there was one other thing I wanted to talk to you about," he began.

  "What is it?"

  "Have you remembered anything-anything at all about the ambush? Did you see anyone or hear anything?"

  "It's all so confused in my mind," she said slowly, frowning as she tried to force herself to remember exactly what had happened on that fateful ride. "The shots came from up on the rise. Gene was hit first."

  Jenny tried to concentrate, tried to recall if she'd seen anything that could help Cole find the ambusher, but she had no recollection other than hearing the first shot and seeing Gene fall. "I'm sorry, Cole. I wish I did know more, but that's all I can remember. I didn't see anyone. I wish I had."

  "So do I," he said fiercely. He was frustrated that he had nothing to go on. "You rest now."

  "You're not going to go-" Jenny clutched his hand, a little frightened.

  "No, sweetheart, I'll stay right here if that's what you want me to do."

  "Yes. Stay with me, Cole. Don't ever leave me."

  "I won't, Jenny."

  She gave him a small smile as her eyes drifted shut. She did not release his hand but held him tightly.

  Cole settled in the chair beside the bed, watching Jenny rest. His gaze went lovingly over her, but it hardened when he stared at the bandage. The bandage reminded him all too forcefully of how very close she'd been to death.

  The tenderness that had held him in its grip altered, and anger grew within Cole. He had vowed to find the one who'd done this to Jenny, and he would. If he didn't hear anything from Jared by tomorrow, he would ride into town himself and see what the lawman had found out.

  Cole kept a vigil by Jenny's side throughout the day. She slept a lot, but every time she awoke, he was there with her. The only time he left her was to seek out Tom and send him into town with a letter for Reverend Ford. He returned to Jenny right away and stayed until Evelyn came up to the room near midnight to relieve him.

  Frances had turned down the bed in the extra bedroom for him, and he slept there that night. His wasn't a deep, restful sleep, though, for he kept waking up, worrying about Jenny. Each time, the quiet of the house reassured him that all was well.

  Cole was up with the sun, more than ready for the start of the new day. He had heard nothing from Marshal Trent, and he was almost ready to make the trip into town to find out what the lawman had learned. He went downstairs to see if Frances had started breakfast yet.

  "Good morning, Cole," the older woman greeted him as he came in the kitchen. "I'll have your breakfast ready in just a minute."

  "Is Jenny awake yet?" he asked.

  "I checked on her a few minutes ago, and she and her aunt were both still asleep. You go ahead and get yourself some coffee while I dish this up."

  Cole poured himself a cup of hot, black coffee and settled in at the dining room table. He'd thought he would be eating alone, and he was surprised when he heard someone on the stairs. He got up to
see who it was, expecting to see Evelyn. He was startled to find that Jenny was with her aunt.

  "Jenny you're up. Should you be out of bed this soon?" He was delighted that she was capable of moving around, but he was still concerned about her. He hurried to help her.

  "Dr. Murray said I could get out of bed when I felt I was ready, and I'm ready," Jenny told him as she took his hand.

  When she reached the bottom of the steps, Cole slipped a supportive arm around her waist.

  "Have you got her, Cole?" Evelyn asked.

  "Yes. "

  "Then I'll go help Frances with breakfast."

  She went off to the kitchen while Cole guided Jenny into the dining room.

  Cole kept Jenny close to his side as they made their way toward the dining room table. Even though she was up and moving again, she still felt very fragile to him as he helped to support her. They reached her chair and he pulled it out for her, but she didn't immediately sit down.

  "I am much improved this morning, but there is one thing that would make me feel even better," she said as she looked up at him and smiled slowly.

  Cole was ready and willing to get her whatever she needed. "What is it?"

  "A kiss," she said with a sigh as she looped her arms around his neck and drew him down to her.

  "I think I can find one of those for you," he murmured.

  "Only one?" she asked, lifting her lips to his.

  Cole gave a low groan at her suggestive words and wrapped his arms around her as his mouth covered hers. Though he still had to keep a tight rein on his desire for her, this kiss was infinitely more satisfying than the chaste ones he'd given her yesterday. Only the sound of Frances and Evelyn coming tore them reluctantly apart.

  As Cole helped Jenny sit down, he was pleased to see that some color had returned to her cheeks. He took the chair next to hers as the two women set down their trays of food. They all settled in and ate together.

  It was only a short time later that Rose, Tillie, and Melanie came up from the guest house and joined them. All were thrilled to find Jenny up and about. They were just finishing breakfast when they heard horses coming.

  "I'll go see who it is," Cole offered, rising to go and meet the visitors. He was glad to see that it was the marshal riding in with Frank Goodwin, one of the neighboring ranchers.