The Filly & the Gambler (Book Fifteen of Brides of the West Series)

by Rita Hestand

"Well, the doc took a bullet out of your shoulder last night, and you were out cold. I figured you needed the rest. I went over to the cantina I seen them at, and there they were, Gabby sitting at a table with Butch, him drinking tequila and looking kind of randy. He spotted me right off and drew on me, if it hadn't been for her quick thinking, I'd have been dead, but she managed to grab his arm as he pulled the trigger. The bullet went in the wall behind me, then I got off a shot and he fell. That's what happened, so help me. I'm glad, because he was fast on the draw and I'm not sure I could have beat him in a fair fight."

  "My God, you went there alone?" Cole raised up and sat up.

  "Yeah, I had to find out if they were stayin' or leavin'." Slim told him.

  "You could have been killed," Cole frowned.

  "Yeah, I reckon I could have. But I wasn't." Slim smiled.

  Cole turned back to Gabby now who was smiling too. He stared between her and Slim.

  Slim's smile relaxed now, "Ain't you gonna kiss her, boss?"

  Cole opened his mouth to object to that question, but Gabby reached the distance to pull him into her arms and kissed him long and thoroughly.

  It was a long time before they came up for air and Slim almost blushed.

  "Are you feeling like getting some eats boss, because I’m starved." Slim asked him.

  Cole stared into Gabby's eyes, and smiled, "I think I’m gonna need some for energy."

  Slim nodded and Cole got out of bed.

  Gabby helped him, and they went downstairs for a meal.

  "You killed Butch?" Cole asked as he bit into his steak.

  "I reckon I did." Slim nodded. "But it wasn't for my draw, it was because Gabby there knocked the bullet haywire that he fired at me. Then I had some time to shoot him."

  "Anyone send for the law?"

  "Nope, it was a plain case of self-defense, and no one was arguing about it." Slim told him. "Had it been a more upright cantina, the law might have gotten involved, but down here, when a ruckus like that happens, I've found the law tries to stay out of it."

  "I can't believe it's over, and I missed it all." Cole fretted.

  "Maybe it's best this way boss. I mean, you were nursin' a real grudge and it might have gotten ugly. Hadn't been for Gabby there, I might have been dead. I'll admit I'm not a gunman." Slim acknowledged. "And I'm no hero."

  "I thought you were dead, Cole." Gabby finally told him.

  "Dead?"

  "Well, I saw you take that bullet and you didn't move. I thought he'd killed you. So, did he."

  "I'm glad you were both wrong." Cole laughed.

  "Me too," she reached to squeeze his good arm.

  Cole looked around the place, not many stirred on Sunday mornings here. Except for the ones that went to church, and he heard the bells ringing in the distance.

  "What say we get out of here today, pick up some supplies on the way out. I don’t want to hang around here. I want to get home, where we all belong." Cole told them.

  "You think you are up to it?" Slim asked with a slight frown.

  "I'll be fine. I don't have a fever, and I don’t want to hang around here…"

  "Then let's go home…" Gabby chuckled, looking from one to the other.

  ***

  Two weeks later, Cole was healed up good, and they were home and happy once more.

  She stared out at the place, happy to be home and everyone with her. She heard Roscoe grunt in the distance and smiled. George and Charlie had gone to bring the lonely hog to his new home.

  Days later, Cole came up to the house and took Gabby by the hand. "Let's go to church." He told her.

  "Church?" She asked amused at her happy husband.

  "Your church," he smiled at her.

  Pleased beyond words, she nodded. They walked hand in hand out to the spot that she had deemed their church and she sat down while Cole stared out on the prairie. There was something added now. Someone had built a bench for them to sit on.

  "Cole, look…."

  "Do you like it?" He grinned.

  "Like it, it's beautiful. Did you do this?"

  "Nope, Pedro and Juan did it. They knew about this place too and thought it a wonderful place to pray."

  "It's beautiful."

  Cole led her to the bench, and they sat down together. "I never explained anything to you, but we got the land back and there's no problem with that." Cole began.

  "Well, yes, there is." Gabby frowned a bit and then looked at her perplexed husband who turned to stare at her.

  "I want to give that land to Slim and Martha as a wedding present." She said boldly.

  Cole stared at her a long time. "But Gabby, that's your land…"

  "No, you're wrong," she stared at him now, "this is my land now. This is my home Cole. This is where I belong. Here with you. I love you Cole and I'm so grateful you are alive and Slim was a big part of that, a big part of me being alive too. And Miss Martha, I don't want to worry about her anymore. I want them to get married now and be as happy as you and I are right now. Is that alright with you?"

  "You're sure?" Cole asked her, gathering her hands in his and holding her at a distance.

  "I'm very sure. At their ages, it will give them a good start, and if they want more land, I'm sure they can buy more around the area. But they won't have to start off like kids do. It's big enough to sustain them, and small enough not to be too much for them."

  "Do you want me to retire Slim?"

  "Only if that's what he wants." Gabby told him.

  A smile as big as Texas spread over his face now as he stared into her shining indigo eyes. "I love you Gabby, with all my heart and soul! I just don't know what took me so long to say it."

  She leaned against his good shoulder and touched her lips to his. "I know that."

  "You do?"

  "Yes, of course, you chased half across Texas to rescue me, with a bullet in you. You'd have to love me to do that. You are my hero, my husband and my love!"

  Their lips met in a storm of passion and love, so soft and sweet Gabby nearly fainted from the pure joy of it.

  When they pulled apart, he gathered her in his arms and held her there. "I think that would be the grandest thing we could do for both of them, sweetheart!"

  She sighed happily in his arms. "I was so glad to find out that George and Charlie were alright too. Pedro and I were afraid something happened to them since we couldn't find them. And when they shot Pedro, I wanted to cry because they wouldn't let me help him. I'm just glad you came so soon to help him. He's mending well now. He'll have a time with that elbow, but I'll be here to help him now."

  "Thankfully George and Charlie were out on the other end of the property when it happened. And Pedro can take it easy and the two of you can manage around here, I'm sure."

  "Oh, I just thought of something." She stared at her husband with an impish smile.

  "What's that?"

  "Roscoe. I want to thank you and the boys for moving Roscoe over here. He's getting used to his new pen and I think he likes it, especially since you bought that pretty sow." she began as Cole took her into his arms again and kissed her silly.

  "No one should be alone, not even a hog." He laughed. "Have I told you how much I love you, lately, Mrs. Martin."

  "I like the sound of that, Mrs. Martin." She smiled, and he crushed her to him.

  Cole pulled away and looked up in the sky, his face serene now as he held her close to him, "Thank you God for taking care of my lady…"

  Gabby smiled with such contentment. "And for bringing us all back home safely." She whispered.

  "You want me to go get Miss Martha?" Cole asked.

  "Please, I've got some serious talking to do with Slim now." She told him.

  Cole couldn't stop the grin that spread over him.

  "Be back soon…" he started to pull away.

  "Not so fast…I want another kiss." She cried.

  "Why Mrs. Martin, what is on your mind?"

  "You'll find out tonight. I've been thinki
ng we need to make the homestead a bit bigger."

  His eyes glistened into hers. "Children?"

  "Our children." She reached to touch his cheek with her hand. The look he gave her galvanized her to the spot.

  Later when Cole left to get Miss Martha, Gabby found Slim who was cleaning out a stall in the barn.

  Gabby stared at him for a moment then smiled. "Slim, I want you to ask Miss Martha to marry."

  "I plan to." He grinned.

  "No, I mean today…"

  "Today?" He looked at her strangely.

  "Today." She repeated with a smile.

  "I guess it is time…" Slim said slowly. "I've loved her an awfully long time."

  "Well, I'd say the courtship is over and it's time to take action." Gabby encouraged.

  "You think she'll say yes?" Slim asked her with trepidation.

  "I know she will Slim," Gabby chuckled.

  Slim smiled, "She's comin' for supper?"

  "She is."

  "Good. And I don't know how to repay you for that land, it might take the rest of my life."

  Gabby shook her head, "No, you don't have to repay me. You did that by saving both mine and Cole's life."

  He stared into her eyes, "But…"

  "No but's Slim. Just be happy, it's all I ask."

  Slim's eyes clouded with tears and he turned away. Gabby knew he was choked up.

  Later after supper Slim took Miss Martha by the hand and walked out past the yard with her. When she suddenly turned to look at Slim, she threw herself in his arms and they kissed like a young couple in love.

  Cole took Gabby in his arms and smiled as they watched them. "I think they are gonna be really happy over there."

  "Almost as happy as we are here," she sighed and reached to kiss his jaw.

  He chuckled now, as he pulled her against his chest and held her just under her breasts. "My last poker game I won a filly. I never dreamed she'd make me so happy. I owe Harmon a lot."

  She turned into his arms now, her lips hovering above his. "I think I got quite a bargain in that game, myself."

  They both chuckled as their lips met in a storm of passion.

  Moments later, she was pulling him toward the house, turning out the lamps and heading for their bedroom. Just before his boot kicked the door closed, she murmured, "You better start building another room on, we're gonna need it."

  He picked her up in his arms, kicked the door shut and nothing but soft moans echoed half the night.

  Cole and Gabby went on to have three boys and two girls, all healthy. They lived their life out on the ranch, visiting Slim and Martha often, naming them their children's God parents.

  Gabby would walk to her little church in the valley and look up in the sky. "You did good dad, you did very good." And she'd walk away smiling…

  The End

  About the Author

  I’m a professional writer of romance and children’s books. I’m also a poet and short story writer. I’m working on a contemporary Romance, a Christmas romance, and another Western Serial Killer story. You’ll find a lot of facts in my historical western romances not the run of the mill romances. Check them out.

  I’m also a grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoys spending time with her family. I like to bowl, listen to music, and watch old movies. I'm also a people watcher.

  I hope you enjoy my books. Thank You and God Bless

  Rita Hestand

  Rita's Other Books

  Brides of the West Series:

  Heart of a Family

  Delivering the Bride

  Heart of a Woman

  Wanted Bride

  This Side of Forever

  Shotgun Bride

  A Love as Big as Texas

  Wherever my Heart Roams

  Heart of a Captive

  In the Arms of an Angel

  Bride of Shenandoah

  Falling for the Bride

  An Unexpected Welcome

  A Desperado's Bride

  Dream Catcher Series:

  Beyond the Dream Catcher

  Just One Kiss

  Ask No Tomorrows

  A Promised Heart

  Be Free My Heart

  Dare to Dream

  My Captured Heart

  Western Serial Killer Series

  Better Off Without Her

  Good Day for a Hanging

  Bad Day for a Killing

  Ghost of Victor Frank

  Daughter of Iniquity

  The Travers Brothers Series

  Chief Cook and Bottle Washer

  Courting Abby

  Hannah's Man

  Along Came Love

  Avalanche of the Heart

  The McKay's

  Raining in My Heart

  Ring of Fire

  Twelfth of Never

  Stand by Me

  The Amory's

  Heart of the Wild

  Sweeter Than Wine

  Mail Order Nanny

  Cowboy Lovin' Series

  Broken Hearted

  His to Hold

  The Connor's

  Cinderella Nanny

  Guarding Red Riding Hood

  Young Adult and New Adult

  Off Limits

  Don't Break My Heart

  Temptation

  Paroled on Love

  Surprise Under the Mistletoe

  Get a Life

  Silver Bells & Santa Hats

  Gentle Ben

  Part of Me

  Easy to Love

  Forever Man

  Singles

  Always Remember

  Love Rules

  Jodi's Journey

  Nick's Baby

  Pretend Mom

  Runaway Bride

  Suspicions of the Heart

  Wandering Heart

  Forever in Love

  Christmas Romances:

  Let it Snow

  Box sets:

  Family Matters

  Family Ranch

  Men of the Northwest

  Brides of the West Part One

  Brides of the West Part Two

  Brides of the West Part Three

  Brides of the West Part Four

  Red River Valley Brides Part One

  Red River Valley Brides Part Two