Romancing the Runaway Bride

by Karen Kirst

  Seth shot him a sideways glance. “Allow me to have a try at pretense.”

  The sheriff rode into the yard in a cloud of dust. His brief greeting was accompanied by marked curiosity. Adam had yet to make the man’s acquaintance and had planned to stop in his office later that day. The sheriff’s unexpected visit would save him a trip, but would he accept whatever explanation Seth cooked up?

  Seth gestured in an offhand manner. “Sheriff Getman, have you met Adam Draper? He’s in town to survey available land parcels for his ranching business.”

  Looking Adam up and down, the sheriff gripped the saddle horn. “I’ve seen you around. Welcome to Cowboy Creek.”

  “In light of recent incidents, he’s not sure settling here is in his best interest.”

  Adam nodded. “That’s assuming I can even find land. Rumors are it’s scarce.”

  Something flickered in the older man’s gaze, something that aroused Adam’s suspicions. “You’re thorough, I give you that. Are you riding around interviewing all the ranchers?”

  “Would that be a problem, Sheriff?”

  He spat a stream of tobacco juice into the dirt. “They’re an unsettled group. Some, like Mr. Halloway here, might not be disturbed by a stranger poking his nose into town business. Others might get spooked. I’d rather you direct your inquiries to me.”

  His conviction that the sheriff was dirty deepened. “I understand. The last thing I want is to cause further trouble. However, you’ll understand my motives. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

  “Cowboy Creek has become a popular place. The rumors are true. There’s little land to be had at the moment. If you’d like, I can contact my associates in Centerville to see what the ranching landscape is like there.”

  Centerville. The same town Ogden and his female accomplice had been. Interesting.

  “That’s thoughtful of you. I’d appreciate any help you can give.”

  The house door slammed, followed by the pattering of feet. “Pa, can we go riding now with Uncle—”

  “Go back into the house, Harper.” Seth angled toward the porch, his demeanor casual but firm. “I’ve got guests. I’ll be inside in a few.”

  Adam focused on keeping his muscles loose and his face blank, all the while praying the new sheriff hadn’t snagged on that one condemning word. When Harper complied, Seth turned to Adam and extended his hand. “Nice to talk with you, Mr. Draper. I wish you well in your business venture.”

  Adam shook it. “I appreciate your time.”

  “For a fellow Missouri man, of course,” Seth replied.

  Bidding both men goodbye, Adam crossed to the hitching post, the weight of the sheriff’s stare burning into his back. He left Seth’s property with a heavy spirit. He wished his brother hadn’t mentioned Missouri. If Ogden got wind that his past had collided with his present, he could very well fly the coop.

  * * *

  Deborah hadn’t intended to enter Mr. Lowell’s bakery. She’d used it as a means of escape. Hiding behind a dusty hutch, she watched Adam stalk past the windows. Only when she was certain he was gone did she release her breath and turn to find sisters-in-law Anna and Marigold Halloway watching her from their table.

  “Is everything all right?” Marigold inquired, her red-gold brows lifted high.

  Feeling ridiculous, Deborah nodded. “Quite right. I, ah, was simply overtaken with the urge for a cinnamon bun.” She pointed to the half-eaten pastry on Marigold’s plate.

  Anna rested her hand on her gently rounded middle, her wedding ring winking in the light. “Was someone bothering you, Deborah? If so, I’m sure Russell would have a word with the gentleman.”

  “That’s thoughtful of you to offer, but there’s no need.”

  Deborah glanced out the window once more, hoping her inner turmoil didn’t show on her face. She wasn’t sure what had spurred her to evade him. He hadn’t been around much the last few days, and when he had, he hadn’t acted like himself. She missed their talks, missed the warmth in his eyes and his smile. Deborah had gotten the sense that he was angry with her, but she hadn’t mustered the courage to confront him.

  When she’d glimpsed him headed her way with that unsettling, intense expression marring his handsome face, she’d acted without thought. And now the Halloway women were concerned she was being harassed.

  They invited her to join them. She accepted, thinking some time spent in their company would distract her from her own problems.

  But as soon as the pleasantries were exhausted, Marigold mentioned Adam.

  “We’re aware you haven’t been interested in any one suitor yet, but you should know about the rumors swirling around town. You’re being linked to Adam Draper.”

  Deborah wasn’t ignorant of the rumors. She simply didn’t know how to respond because, deep down, she wished they were true.

  She sipped the weak tea and grimaced. It appeared Mr. Lowell also needed instruction on how to brew a proper cup.

  “Mr. Draper and I are acquaintances.” Until Sunday, she would’ve labeled what they had as a budding friendship. Now, she wasn’t certain that was the case. Not with his wavering mood and mystifying behavior. “He’s a gentleman, and that’s the only reason he was carrying me to the doctor.”

  The sisters-in-law exchanged what looked to be silent but significant communication.

  A crease dug between Marigold’s brows. “You don’t harbor romantic inclinations for him, then?”

  Anna leaned forward in her chair. “He strikes me as a good man. However, he’s not a local. Who knows where he’ll wind up once his business in Cowboy Creek is concluded.”

  “We don’t want to see you get hurt,” Marigold tacked on.

  There was something beneath the surface, some hidden meaning that eluded her. Deborah replaced her cup in the chipped saucer. “I appreciate your concern. I realize my reluctance to be courted is confusing everyone. I thought I was ready to leap into marriage, but I’m not.”

  Anna patted her hand. “I understand. Although Russ and I already knew each other when we wed, I was nevertheless apprehensive about entering into a marriage of convenience.”

  “Looking at the two of you now, one would never guess you didn’t marry for love,” Marigold declared, her smile sentimental. No doubt she was thinking of her own husband, as well.

  Deborah refused to feel sorry for herself. The twinge of longing was unexpected, however, especially as it was centered around the one man who didn’t want a bride.

  She lingered for another quarter of an hour before excusing herself. Not ready to return to the boardinghouse, she decided to head to the river by way of alleys and side streets. On the edge of town, she was passing the cabinetmaker’s place when she collided with a wall of muscle.

  Her gasp was swallowed by surprise. The mountain of a man who’d rounded the corner was a stranger to her. Wearing an expensive suit and black bowler hat, he had a narrow, craggy face with pronounced nose and jutting chin. His eyes flared with irritation.

  “E-excuse me. I didn’t see you.”

  His scowl deepened. “Watch where you’re going next time.”

  “Don’t mind him,” a feminine voice chimed. “He’s grumpy because he missed the noon meal.”

  Deborah turned to the young woman joining him. Slight of frame and short like Deborah, she also had fair skin and dark hair. The similarities between them ended with the other woman’s eyes and oddly shaped mouth. Still, from a distance, they could be mistaken for sisters. How curious.

  The brunette didn’t seem to notice. Or perhaps she was in a rush to find sustenance for her companion. “Sorry to disturb you.” Linking arms with him, she urged him along the street.

  The man allowed himself to be led away, but he glanced back at Deborah. Her scalp prickled. She couldn’t decipher his expression. Was he intrigued by their resemblance?<
br />
  Something about him bothered her, which didn’t make sense. Shaking off the strange encounter, she continued on her way.

  * * *

  Adam hid in the trees behind the boardinghouse. Tonight, he would wait for Deborah to leave the house. He would follow her. He would finally discover her secret.

  He was out of patience.

  Did she think he hadn’t seen her duck into that bakery? Did she think he didn’t know she was avoiding him?

  A burning sensation crawled through his chest and up his throat. He was going to develop an ulcer before this case was over.

  He glanced at the stars in all their glory. Is it so wrong to want answers, Lord? To seek justice? My family needs closure, Father. I need to know what Ogden did to my pa.

  Only then could Adam find peace.

  The minutes ticked away. One by one, the lights in the windows winked out. From his vantage point, he had a clear view of the veranda and kitchen door. Deborah had used this exit the last time. If she chose a different route, he’d be hard put to follow her.

  No matter. He’d stand out here every night until Christmas if it meant solving the puzzle.

  The creak of the porch slats reached him. There, bathed in weak moonlight, was his primary suspect. His beautiful, fascinating suspect.

  Adam massaged his temples to try to relieve his headache.

  He pressed against the tree trunk as she neared, his gaze soaking in every detail. When she’d passed the yard, he sidled between the trees and left through the gate, making sure no one was around to see him trailing her.

  Adam followed at a safe distance, the anticipation racing through his veins at odds with the dread making him break into a cold sweat. He had opposing goals, his desire to capture his enemy warring with the desire to protect Deborah.

  Once again, she walked in the direction of the Gardners’ home. But this time she continued toward the stockyards. When she veered into the copse on her left, he removed his revolver from its holster.

  Deborah wove through the woods as if following a mental map. How many times had she visited Ogden?

  Her wedding dress flashed into his memory, fueling wild speculation. Were they more than coconspirators? Was she infatuated with a cold-blooded killer? Although intelligent, Deborah was a bit naive.

  Adam gritted his teeth. This wasn’t helping.

  In a little clearing, she paused and looked around. Then she bent low and, ducking beneath a branch, entered a lopsided, tattered tent.

  Adam’s grip on his weapon became slippery. His throat dried. Getting a better grip on the handle, he prayed for the strength to do what needed to be done, even if it was difficult. Even it damaged his soul in the process.

  “This is for you, Pa,” he whispered.

  He crept closer and, with one final plea, pushed his way into the tent.

  What he was expecting to see didn’t align with what he encountered.

  A pair of kids took one look at his gun—aimed directly at them—and screamed. Deborah twisted to face him, her face as white as a sheet. Her basket slammed to the ground, contents spilling across the dirt.

  “Adam!” Her eyes went wide with fright. “What are you doing?”

  The boy seized the girl’s arm and, pulling aside a slit in the rear panel, pushed her through it. He scurried after her.

  Deborah scrambled on her hands and knees. “Lily! Liam! Wait!”

  Adam grabbed her arm. “Deborah, who are those kids?”

  Where’s Ogden? The words echoed in his mind.

  She wrenched free and glared at him. “Orphans who were just beginning to trust me, that’s who.”

  Leaving the tent the same way the kids had, she didn’t offer further explanation. Adam holstered his weapon and dashed outside. It didn’t take long to catch up to her.

  The stench of hundreds of cattle slammed into him. Not far in the distance, he could see the fences that kept them contained and the sharp, pointed horns that lent them their name.

  “No, don’t go in there!” Deborah was yelling, her breath coming in uneven pants.

  Adam saw the boy glance back and, registering their pursuit, pump his legs faster. Together, the kids sprinted toward the pens, straight for a mass of longhorns that could trample them within the space of a minute.

  Chapter Eleven

  Liam and Lily were headed into danger. Disregarding her warnings, they flew toward the fences holding in cattle with razor-sharp horns and enough bulk to crush a child. Deborah knew Adam wouldn’t hurt them, but they didn’t. All they knew was a stranger had invaded their hideout and waved a gun in their faces.

  Adam owed her answers. But first, they had to stop the siblings. If the children managed to escape the pens unharmed, they’d run and not stop. Her chance to help them would be lost.

  Deborah’s layers upon layers of undergarments hampered her progress. Adam didn’t have that problem. His longer legs gave him an advantage, too. He was closing in on Lily.

  The girl noticed the distance diminishing and screamed for her brother. The antsy cattle lowed their displeasure. Liam yelled for her to hurry. He lunged, grabbed her arm and hustled her beneath the fence and into the pen.

  “Stop!” Adam called, his steps slowing. “I’m not going to hurt you!”

  Deborah reached his side, her breath coming in short bursts, fear sending icy shards through her veins.

  The kids didn’t listen. They ran into the midst of the heavy-footed animals. Deborah noticed the instant Lily registered the sheer size of the cattle. Liam became aware of this new danger around the same time, his thin face strained, his mouth sagging.

  The cattle were moving in erratic circles, their lows becoming a cacophony as they tried to get away from the intruders.

  One bumped into Lily, nearly knocking her off her feet. She clung to her brother’s arm and started crying. They kept inching farther away from the fence, increasing the distance between them and safety.

  Deborah must’ve made a sound, because Adam turned to her, his eyes gleaming like coals in the near-darkness. “What are their names?”

  “Liam and Lily. They’re siblings.”

  He pushed his hat into her hands.

  “What are you—”

  He didn’t wait for her to finish. Climbing over the fence, he dropped into the pen. On the edge of the mass, animals pushed and strained to get away. If they broke into a full-out stampede, all three would be in grave danger.

  “Liam? Lily?” Adam spoke in a firm, low tone. He walked with measured steps. “I’m Adam, Deborah’s friend.”

  Two animals trapped the kids between them.

  Lily cried out for Deborah. Hiking up her outer skirts, she planted one boot on the fence. Adam whipped around and jerked a finger at her. “Don’t.”

  “She needs me.”

  “I’ll get them out.”

  Torn, Deborah gripped the post. Adam was an expert on cattle. He worked with them every day and would be able to anticipate their behavior. As she watched him weave through the crowded pen, her heart shuddered with dread.

  Please, God, guide his footsteps. Bring all three to safety.

  Somewhere near the stockyard offices, raucous laughter rang out. Gunshots rent the air. The successive blasts reverberated through the night, spooking the already nervous longhorns.

  Their legs became a blur of movement. Dust stirred in choking clouds. Bits of earth and grass were dislodged.

  Adam didn’t flinch. Instead, he continued into the fray.

  Deborah felt helpless and she hated it. She couldn’t see Liam and Lily, couldn’t hear them over the noise. She kept her gaze pinned on Adam, who was getting knocked and jostled. At one point, a horn tip scraped his face.

  Above the rumble of thundering hooves, she thought she heard his voice.

  Then he was gone from
view. Deborah clambered onto the fence.

  “Adam!”

  Had he been pushed to the ground?

  A lone cow veered toward her, but her attention was focused on the last spot he’d been. She jumped into the fray. Her pulse thundered loud enough to be heard above the noise.

  He couldn’t be trampled. Who’d tease her about her desserts? Comfort her when she was sad? Boost her confidence?

  God, please...

  One second, all she could see were horns gleaming white and deadly in the moonlight. The next, Adam loomed out of the morass, Liam and Lily on either side of him, tucked in the haven of his arms.

  As they neared, Adam noticed her new position and scowled. Blood dripped down his cheek.

  “I thought I told you stay put.”

  “I thought you’d been trampled.”

  Though she was tempted to throw her arms around his neck, she turned her attention to the kids. They looked fine aside from scrapes and bruises. Adam boosted Liam and Lily over the fence. Then his hand closed over Deborah’s.

  “You okay?” he asked gruffly.

  “I’m fine.”

  Once on the other side, Lily latched on to Deborah’s waist and sobbed.

  She smoothed the girl’s hair. “You’re safe now, sweetheart.”

  Liam took another step, his right leg buckling. A gasp of pain ripped from his lips.

  Adam crouched beside him. “What hurts?”

  He cradled his leg. “My knee.”

  “It’s a long walk to the boardinghouse,” Adam told him. “Let me carry you.”

  “You promise not to turn us in to the sheriff?”

  “You can trust us,” Deborah cut in. “Isn’t that right, Adam?”

  His features solemn, he retrieved his hat from where she’d dropped it. “That’s right. I apologize for scaring you.”

  Lily swiped at her eyes. “And for ruining our supper?”

  Surprise lifted Adam’s brows. The corner of his mouth curved.

  “All she ever thinks about is her stomach,” Liam grumbled.

  Adam hefted the boy into his arms. “I did make a mess of your meal. Not to worry, we’ll remedy that as soon as we reach Aunt Mae’s.”