“You son of a bitch, you’ve always had it easy. When you double-cross me, you die. My papa was stupid enough to get caught cheating, he died. You better hope like hell I hang because you’re just as good as dead if I get out.”
Zach smiled. “So much hate, Simon. Now I’m glad I didn’t give up my life to try to save yours.”
Simon spat at Zach’s feet. “I’d have killed you before we made it to Mexico.”
“Sheriff, lock him up. I don’t want to have to kill my own brother.”
Two weeks later, Annabelle walked into the house and sat down at the table; she’d called a family meeting. Since Meg had returned, she’d wandered around the house in a daze. She’d been quiet, reserved, and so damn sad Annabelle was ready to hunt Zach down and shoot him herself.
Maybe it was time to get back on the hunt. At least on the road, Meg would have something to focus on besides Zach Gillespie. Annabelle had been waiting and hoping one of them would come to their senses and realize they were meant to be together, but so far they were both more stubborn than any mule she’d ever had the misfortune to come across.
Meg refused to go into town and sat in the house, drawing what appeared to be women in dresses. It was the strangest thing Annabelle had ever seen her robust, take-charge sister ever do. She was worried sick about Meg and hoped to spur her into action.
Meg and Ruby sat down at the table, where the family had always gathered for important decisions. Annabelle looked at these women and realized how lucky she was to have them in her life. She loved them and wanted the best for them.
“I just wanted to give you an update on our loan at the bank. We’ve paid it down to a mere six hundred dollars. A couple more bounties and we should be able to end our hunting days,” Annabelle said. “I’m going in to town tomorrow to pick up some more wanted posters. Maybe get some new ideas as to who we should chase.”
Ruby shook her head. “I’m not certain I’m ready to give this up. In fact, I’ve been talking to our cousin Caroline about joining me and Meg.”
A heavy sigh came from Meg and she stiffened. “No. Once the loan is paid off, I’ll not be continuing to hunt for bad guys. I’m done with this type of life. And Ruby you should be as well.”
Ruby raised her head and stared at Meg, her eyes darting with anger, a stubborn set to her chin. Annabelle could feel the tension radiating off her younger sister.
“No. I enjoy chasing bad guys. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt.”
“Well, I don’t, and I won’t be continuing. I’ve got plans of my own.”
Annabelle stared at the women around the table. This was totally unexpected. Meg wanted to quit, and Ruby was determined to continue their pursuit of nefarious criminals for cash.
“We’d only planned on doing this until we had the loan paid off. Ruby, you can’t mean to continue,” Annabelle said, worry filling her at the danger her younger sister was willing to risk. Ruby seemed to have a vendetta. A need to prove she could take care of herself.
“Why not? What is there around this boring farmhouse to do, other than watch the crops grow? I like the life. I like the thrill of the chase, and I’m not giving it up,” she said, raising her voice defiantly. “I like being seen as a strong woman.”
“Yes, you will give it up. You got hurt on the last trip. I’m not going to worry about you, and I’m not going,” Meg informed their youngest sister.
Tension sparkled around the table like candlewicks sputtering in the wind.
Ruby smiled. “I don’t need your approval. I’m plenty old enough to decide what I’m doing with my life, and if I want to continue to bounty hunt, I will. You can’t stop me.”
Meg shook her head. “I’m too tired to argue with you. I’ll continue only until the loan is paid off, but once it’s gone, I’m done. If you want to hunt until someone shoots you dead, then that’s your business.”
“Meg,” Annabelle said, her eyes widening at what her sister had said.
Ruby shrugged her shoulders. “Suit yourself.”
Annabelle glanced between the two women, surprised at how they’d changed. Meg had once been the defiant one, and Ruby had been a temptress. But now it seemed Meg was more subdued, and Ruby was the defiant one, ready for a challenge. Where did that leave Annabelle?
“Ladies, this was not meant to start an argument, but rather to show you we are close to having the loan paid off. This was just to give you an update and have you start to prepare for our next outing.”
Meg glanced at Annabelle and frowned. “You’re not going,” she said. “You’re staying home and working the farm.”
Annabelle felt her forehead pucker into a frown. She liked being included. She had enjoyed getting out. “I’m not so certain. Maybe you should stay home and Ruby and I should go out.”
“No,” Meg replied. “I’m in charge.”
“No, you’re not,” Ruby said.
“You’re the oldest, but I think we should consider holding a vote,” Annabelle said.
“I’m not discussing this any further,” Meg said, rising from the table. “Tomorrow, when you go in to town, get us new posters that we can make some decisions over. Things stay the same. Ruby and I will chase the bad guys. You handle the farm.”
A spark of anger zipped along Annabelle’s spine, at the way her older sister just assumed she would be going on the hunt for the next bounty while leaving Annabelle at home.
“I’ll get the posters, but I want to be included,” Annabelle said, standing.
“And I will continue,” Ruby said, getting up from the table.
Meg ignored their comments and walked out the door. Sometimes she could be more stubborn than a three-year-old with a doll. Just try to get her back to discuss their new situation. Just try to take a doll from a baby.
Annabelle shook her head. Well, that had certainly not gone as smoothly as she’d planned. But since her return, Meg had been difficult. She had been irritable, moody and downright sad. Men could be so stupid when it came to women, and Annabelle knew Zach had shattered Meg’s heart into a thousand pieces. After all, she’d given Zach Gillespie her heart and her virtue.
And all he’d done was left her to save his criminal brother.
Tomorrow, when she was in town, she’d find out what had happened to the sheriff. Had he chosen Simon and Mexico or was he once again back in his office, chasing drunks and thieves. If he was in town, she’d give him a small piece of her mind for how he’d treated her sister.
She walked out the door and watched the sun descend behind the prairie. Somewhere out there was a man for Annabelle. A sweet man who would love her, take care of her, and give her children—a man who would love her, in spite of her faults.
The next day, Zach rode his horse in to the yard of the McKenzie’s farm. He hoped Meg was home. He’d been waiting for the last two weeks for her to come in to town, and finally, he’d given up. The time was now. If she didn't come to him, he’d come and get her.
He pulled up in to the yard and noticed it seemed quiet. No one greeted him. No dogs came out of the door, running and barking. It was silent and peaceful, except for the violent vision of the shotgun nozzle poking out an open window.
That was a welcoming sign, if ever he’d seen one.
“What do you want?” Meg called.
Thank God, it was her and not Ruby or Annabelle. He’d be laying on the ground and bleeding if one of them had pulled the shotgun.
“Put the damn gun down and come outside,” he said.
“Why should I?” she replied. “I’m not talking to you. We’re done.”
“We need to talk.”
“Are you stupid? I’m not talking to you.”
He had to entice her outside. “Don’t you want to know what happened to Simon?” he asked.
“Not really. You’re here and not in Mexico.”
He laughed. “Don’t you want to know what happened to the bounty money?”
There was silence for a moment. He knew she was thinking
it over. “Come outside.” He really didn’t think she would listen, but finally, she came to the door, the shotgun still in her hand.
“All right, I’m here. Make it quick.”
“Where are your sisters?” he asked, feeling vulnerable, expecting an attack at any moment.
She frowned. “Why?”
“Because I want you to come to town with me.”
“Is that why you brought two horses? You wasted your time. I’m not leaving here with you. Must I keep repeating, we’re done.”
The only way to lure her out the door was to entice her, but he wasn’t ready to reveal the big surprise just yet. “If you want to know about the bounty money, you have to go to town with me.”
“I’m going back inside now. I don’t have to know what happened to the money.”
She was absolutely the hardest headed woman he’d ever met. She would drive a saint to drink. She would drive a nun to curse and a preacher to kill.
He took a deep breath and reached for the lariat he had at the ready, prepared just in case of this very reaction. Deep down he’d know she wouldn’t make this easy, and he couldn’t blame her. He was to blame for her reaction, and for that he felt sad. “Damn woman, you would try the patience of a saint.”
She smiled and crossed her arms. “I aim to please.”
He pulled the rope off his saddle and her eyes widened.
“Oh, no. We’re not doing this again.” She turned to go back into the house just about the time the rope whirled over her head, wrapping around her middle, trapping her arms. With a clang, the shotgun fell to the ground.
Zach pulled the rope tight, effectively pinning her arms to her sides. He jumped off his horse and quickly tied the knots.
Curses flew from her mouth. She was using cuss words he’d never heard before. Naughty words he didn’t even know existed.
“Damn it, Zach. Enough. We’re finished. I’d turn you in to the law, but…”
The laugh escaped, and he knew if she could have, she would have belted him one by now. “Yeah, I know I’m the law. Now, honey, if we ever have children together, I’m going to insist you clean up your language.”
“There is no chance of that, cowboy,” she screamed. “In fact…” She started cursing at him again.
“Language, sweetie, language. You wouldn’t do this the easy way. But we are going to Zenith. At least when I take you to town, you’ll have your clothes on. That’s more than what you did for me.”
“You brought that on yourself. I will kill you, Zach Gillespie. I will tie you up and then slowly peel your skin off, until you are begging me to put a bullet in your brain. Gladly, I will say no.”
He grinned at her. “Vindictive, aren’t we? If you would just listen to reason without me having to tie you up, we’d already be on our way. But, oh no, I can see there is probably going to be a lot of rope in our future.”
“What are you talking about? Have you lost your mind?” she asked. “The heat must be getting to you.”
He shook his head, wanting to say so much, but knowing he should wait. “Do you want to ride in the saddle the correct way or do you want me to just throw you over the top of the horse?”
“I don’t want to go anywhere with you,” she spat out. “In fact, if you untie me, I’ll forget this ever happened, but if not…”
He ignored her, not afraid of her in the least. “Choose now, or I will throw you over the back of the horse. We are going to town. Together. Today.”
Her green eyes flashed with enough anger he knew he needed to keep away from her, or she’d take him down any way she could.
“Oh, all right. I want to sit in the saddle the correct way. Why are we going to town?”
“You’ll see.” He helped her into the saddle then took the reins from her and led the horse over to his own. After climbing on, he gave his horse a kick, and they started down the lane into town.
“I have waited for you to come in to town for two weeks. Where have you been?” he asked, knowing he couldn’t have waited another day. He’d missed her.
“I’ve been at home, cowboy. I’m a farmer, when I’m not out chasing criminals.”
“Yes, but even farmers come to town sooner or later.”
Their horses plodded along the road, and for a moment, he thought they were going to have a nice, pleasant conversation.
“I didn’t want to see you,” she said softly.
“God, I could hardly wait to see you. I’ve missed you, Meg. I lay awake at night remembering then fall asleep dreaming of you.”
Her brows drew together in a frown. “You can stop sweet-talking me. We’re done.”
“You have every right to be done with me. You’ve been a patient woman who has put up with more than her share of stupidity from this cowboy. But the day you rode down that dusty road and out of my life, I woke up,” he said softly. “I realized what I’d lost when I chose Simon over you.”
Watching her leave had ripped whatever was left of his heart completely out of his chest. Realizing he had to save his self-worth and integrity if he wanted to live with himself and have Meg in his life, he would have to turn his brother in.
Their horses clopped along the road into town.
“Did some bird come down and wallop you in the head? Did lightening strike and give you a jolt? Or maybe some outlaw finally beat the crap out of your brains and cleared your thinking?”
He laughed. “God, woman, our life will never be boring, will it?”
“What do you mean our life? You’re assuming a lot.”
Yes, most definitely he was assuming she would forgive him. He needed that like he needed his next breath. “By the way, my brother Simon is in jail.”
She didn’t respond, and he couldn’t help but think he’d ruined their chances of being together.
There was silence for a long time as they rode along the dusty trail into town, their horses moving slowly in the heat.
“Did he get caught on his way to Mexico?”
“No, I hauled his ass in to the next town and turned him in. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was right.”
Meg didn’t say a word. The only sound the rest of the way into town was the clip-clop of their horses’ hooves.
When they got to the edge of town, he stopped. “If you will ride the rest of the way with me, I’ll take the rope off. But you have to ride into town with me.”
She frowned at him. “What have you done, Zach? What do you want to show me?”
He smiled. “I’ve got your curiosity up now. You’ll have to come into town to see.” He untied the knots from around her wrists, her body, and even her arms. He handed her the reins. “You double cross me and I will bring you back in to town in your bloomers.”
Meg smiled, her green eyes lighting up. “You’d have to catch me first, cowboy.”
“Be careful or I’ll take you up on that offer.”
Maybe he was finally starting to tear down that fort she’d built around her heart. Maybe she was starting to see he’d done what he said he was going to do. He’d taken his brother to the sheriff.
She clucked to her horse, and together, the two of them rode side by side. He was watching her face when they turned the corner and she saw the sign. She let out a gasp.
“Oh, my God,” she cried. “My dress shop, Meg’s Creations. You remembered.”
They pulled up in front of the store, and for a moment, she sat there staring at the sign, her eyes wide, her mouth open. Finally, he helped her alight from her horse. The feel of her waist between his palms had his heart racing. He took her by the hand and led her up the few stairs, tears welling up in the corner of her eyes. When he opened the door, the green dress she’d worn that night so long ago was hanging on a chair in the corner.
“My dress,” she cried and ran to the garment, touching the fabric lovingly.
He watched her face and could see the happiness glowing on her cheeks. It made him feel good that he’d made her happy.
&nb
sp; Slowly, she turned to face him, confusion reflected in her gaze. “Zach, I don’t know what to say,” she said, glancing around the room.
He walked over to her and dropped down on one knee. She gasped, her eyes widening. “Meg, the last few weeks with us together on the trail has made me realize you make me a better man. You help me see my weaknesses. You make me stronger. You support me and prop me up when I need strength. But most of all, you’ve captured my heart. I’ve fallen madly, deeply, in love with you, and I can’t imagine spending another day on earth without you by my side as my wife.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at him. Her green eyes were glistening with what looked like happiness.
“To show you my love, I wanted to give you your dream. This building is ours, if we want to rent it. You can have your dress shop down below, and upstairs are living quarters for us and the family I hope we someday will have. If you love me, then please be my wife. Spend the rest of your life with me by your side.”
She pulled him to his feet and fell into his arms. “I love you, Zach. I’ve been miserable these last few weeks without you, not knowing what you’d done. I believed you would make the right choice, but then I heard nothing. I never doubted you were a good man, but I knew you loved your brother.”
“You believed in me, when I didn’t believe in myself. You knew I would make the right choice.” As much as he loved his brother, the decision she’d forced him to make was the best one for Zach and for Simon.
“I love you, Zach. I want more than anything to be your wife.”
His mouth covered hers in a kiss that swept her up off her feet and pressed her body tight against his. Oh God, this was what he’d missed—her love, her strength of character, and her love of family. Zach knew that without Meg’s love, he would never be as strong a man. This woman had made him tough, and he could only hope he would prove as good a husband to her as he knew she would be a wife to him.
Their lips came apart.
“The bounty money,” he said.
She frowned. “We didn’t expect any money.”
He reached in his pocket and pulled out the cash. “It’s yours. You caught Simon. You deserve the bounty.”
Lipstick and Lead Series: The Complete Box Set With a Bonus Book Page 33
