by Jenna Brandt
He raised both eyebrows in surprise. “Have you forgotten how to knock?”
She shook her head. “This matter is rather urgent. It can’t wait.”
Her father sat down his papers and gave her his undivided attention, waiting for her to continue.
“I just overheard a disturbing conversation between Charlie, Phillip Moore, and Andy Wilson. They were colluding with the cattle rustlers to undermine you and take over the ranch.”
He stood up and crossed his arms. “Abigail, I realize you haven’t been particularly fond of marrying Andy Wilson, but to make up a story like this to get out of it—” he shook his head “—I had no idea you could be so deceptive. What happened to you while you were away at finishing school?”
“What happened to me?” she asked in anger and disbelief. “I learned I have a mind of my own and didn’t need to be subjugated to the men in my life.”
“That was not part of the curriculum at the finishing school. The instructors would never teach such falsities. Who filled your head with such repugnant ideas? Was it one of the other students?”
“No one is to blame for how I’ve changed, Father. My eyes were opened when I was away. You don’t want to see that, but how I've changed doesn't have to do with what is going on now.”
“You need to rethink what you are accusing your brother and Mr. Wilson of,” he stated. “Perhaps, you should spend some time in your room.”
Abigail shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I’m telling the truth.”
“You have been indulged most of your life,” her father stated, coming to stand in front of her. His eyes filled with rage as he shouted, “Your mother was too lenient with you. I should’ve stepped in when you were younger. I blame myself for that. She's gone now and I will not tolerate this behavior. First, you spent too much time with that bounty hunter when you should have been spending time with Andy Wilson. Next, you bring a child into my house without my permission, and now, you’re spreading lies about your brother and future husband. You’ve gone too far this time, Abigail.”
Tears poured down her face. “How can you think me a liar, Father? I’ve never lied a day in my life, and I’m not now.”
Her father raised his hand to silence her and growled, “Enough. You’re going to your room and you’re stripped of all your privileges until your wedding. That child you brought here will be sent to the orphanage posthaste.”
“You can’t do this, Father. I don’t want to marry Andy Wilson. Not only because of what he planned with Charlie and the rustlers, but because he’s responsible for his first wife’s death. If you love me, you won’t make me wed a violent man trying to take over our ranch.”
“Your lies won’t work, Abigail. I stand to gain far more from your union than you stand to lose. If you refuse to marry him, you will no longer be welcome in my house.”
She felt like her father slapped her across the face with his final words. He not only didn’t care about her well-being; he would kick her out on the streets if she didn’t do his bidding.
Without another word, Abigail turned and left the study. She headed to her room to pack and then gathered Tabitha to leave. She couldn’t stay in her father’s house any longer.
After leaving the Larsen family home, Abigail made her way over to the sheriff’s office to find Jake. She wanted to see what could be done with the information she overheard discussed about the attempted cattle heist.
“What do you mean nothing can be done about what happened?” Abigail asked in frustration, looking over at Tabitha who was sitting in a chair playing with a doll.
“I’m sorry, Abigail,” Jake stated with sympathy, “your father is the only one who can press charges against Andy Wilson and your brother. If he doesn’t believe you, then he won’t be willing to do that. I can go talk to him if you want, but if he wasn’t willing to listen to you, he’s not going to listen to me.”
“So they just get away with it?” Abigail questioned in a dejected voice. “I can’t believe they’re partially responsible for Billy Dalton’s death and nothing is going to be done about it.”
“I’ll keep an eye on both of them, and ask around to see if I can find out anything that ties them to it. If I do, I promise I will arrest them. I’ll also put out a bounty on Phillip Moore. If we catch him, maybe we can get him to turn on the others. In the meantime, I think you should try to patch things up with Levi.”
Abigail stiffened under the suggestion. “He didn’t tell me he was a bounty hunter, Jake. I don’t know how to reconcile his lie.”
“Did he lie though? I saw him after he left the ranch and he told me what happened. He was undercover and someone else was depending on Levi to do his job. I can understand you being upset, but Levi is a good man. He cares for you deeply and you two are a good match. You shouldn’t let this destroy what you were building together.”
Abigail wanted to object to Jake’s statements, but part of her knew it was true. Even though she was mad when she first heard what he really did for a living, when he said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, her heart jumped with joy. Her stubborn pride kept her from responding, and then her father and brother interrupted and her chance was gone.
“It’s probably too late anyway,” Abigail pointed out. “I’m sure he is long gone—on to his next bounty hunting job.”
Jake shook his head. “He told me he was sticking around town, hoping he would have a chance to convince you how much he cares and wants to be with you.”
Hope was restored and Abigail wondered what she should do with the information. Should she find out where he was staying and go talk to him? First things first, she needed to feed Tabitha, then secure a room at the hotel for them both. She wondered if she should ask the manager if he would let her work for a room. She had barely enough pocket money to pay for their meal, but they needed somewhere to stay.
“Thank you, Jake. You’ve helped me see things more clearly.”
“Anytime, Abigail.” He pulled out several bills from his pocket. “I also want to give you a little of bit of money until you get your situation sorted out.”
Even though the money would help, she didn’t feel right about taking a handout. “I can’t take your money, Jake.”
“You’re one of Rebecca’s oldest friends. I insist,” he said pushing the money into her hand.
She looked down at the money, then back up at Jake. “It’s only a loan until I can pay you back.”
Jake shrugged. “If you feel you need to pay me back, you can, but there’s no rush. We take care of our own here in Rockwood Springs.”
Twenty-Four
What was he doing in the Long Reach Saloon? Levi wanted to numb the feeling of loss over what happened with Abigail, but as he took the first sip of alcohol, he realized nothing earthly would help. Liquor wasn’t the answer, it only guaranteed more problems.
Levi pushed the glass aside and stood up from the bar. He headed over to the church where he could spend time in prayer; maybe even talk with Pastor Gable and ask his advice.
As he exited the saloon, the sunlight hit his vision like a ton of bricks, causing him to flinch. He deserved the pain it caused as he had no business being in such a depraved place. Abigail would be ashamed.
Levi put his hat on and pulled it down low over his face to block the sun’s rays. He was about to step out onto the dirt road to cross the street when a voice growled out from the side. “There you are bounty hunter. Someone mentioned you were inside the Rockwood Springs Saloon.”
Reflexively, Levi’s hands moved to his guns as he spun around. He recognized Morris Jeffers and two of his cohorts. With one quick motion, Levi whipped out his guns and pointed them at the other men. “Why are you here?”
“It’s time for payback,” the cattle rustler stated with rage in his eyes, his own pistols leveled at Levi. “You and your partner have caused me nothin' but problems ever since you started hunting me a year ago. The Larsen cattle heist was supposed to be mine
and the boys’ big payday, but instead you ruined everything.”
Gunfire erupted and Levi dove out of the way, but not before a bullet hit his left arm. Pain radiated up through his body, forcing him to drop one of his guns. Levi pushed his back up against the wall of the saloon and yelled out, “Jeffers, this will not end well for you or your men. I suggest y’all surrender now.”
“Big talk, bounty hunter, but we got you outnumbered.”
“Not anymore,” Jake Bolton shouted, “the law has arrived. You’d do well to listen to Mr. Emerson’s suggestion and lay down your weapons and turn yourselves in.”
“Not going to happen,” Jeffers yelled back from his hiding place behind a nearby wagon. “We’re not afraid of you, ‘Bullseye’ Bolton. Your reputation might impress most around here, but it doesn’t mean horse dung to us.”
Several more shots rang out but missed Jake and Levi.
“Are you all right?” Jake asked, inspecting Levi’s left arm.
“I’m fine,” Levi assured. “It was just a graze.”
“Good,” Jake stated, handing Levi the gun he dropped. “We'll need all the firepower we can get to stop them from shooting this town up. I'll head around and cut them off from behind. You distract them from here.”
Levi nodded as Jake took off to flank the thieves. Levi gripped both guns in his hands and stood up, keeping behind the building’s corner for cover.
“It was a stupid mistake coming back, Jeffers,” Levi yelled, trying to goad him according to the plan. “I thought you were smarter than that from all the reports.”
“I am smart, smart enough to know I need to make you an example to all the other bounty hunters who might be foolish enough to come after me. Once I’m done with you, no one will dare try to collect my bounty again.”
Several more gunshots echoed through Main Street from the outlaws. Levi returned fire. A bullet hit its target because there was a cry of pain followed by one of Jeffers’ men falling forward from behind the wagon. He laid there groaning, out of commission.
“Jeffers, one of your men is already wounded. Stop the count from going up. Why don’t you give up now?” Levi shouted.
The only response was more bullets flying in Levi’s direction.
“Have it your way,” Levi stated as he returned gunfire.
Just as Levi was about to return to cover; he saw Jake approach from behind. “Put your hands up; you’re surrounded.”
After a brief hesitation, both outlaws dropped their guns and did as told. Levi came from around the side of the saloon with his guns aimed at the men while Jake put iron handcuffs on them. He checked the thieves for other weapons, then gathered their pistols from the ground.
Once they were secure, Levi examined the man he shot. The wound had penetrated his shoulder, but he was still alive.
The gunfight had gained the attention of the patrons in the saloon who had now piled out to see what was happening.
Levi yelled over his shoulder, “One of you go fetch the doctor.”
Even though he was an outlaw, his wound needed to be treated so he could go to jail and stand trial.
“I’m guessing you will want to collect this one for the bounty?” Jake inquired, gesturing towards Morris Jeffers.
“I have a friend and former partner who deserves it more than me,” Levi stated, making sure the entire crowd could hear him, hoping Clyde hadn’t left town yet.
“And who might that be?” Jake inquired.
“He’s referring to me,” Clyde said, stepping forward. Levi nodded his head towards Jake as the other man added, “Name’s Clyde Forester.”
“I reckon I should hand him off to you then, so you can take him in to where the bounty originated.”
“Abilene, and yes, I would be much obliged,” Clyde confirmed.
Jake handed Morris Jeffers over to him and warned, “Keep a good eye on him. He seems the slippery sort.”
Clyde hesitated, then turned to Levi and gave him a stern look. “Don’t think this makes things right between us because it doesn’t.” After a moment’s delay, he continued, “But if you’re ever in need of help, I’ll still have your back.”
After Clyde left with Jeffers, Dr. Ramsey arrived and examined the wounded outlaw. “He needs to be brought back to my office where I can patch him up.”
“I can help the doctor with that,” Levi offered. “I’m sure you need to get the other one locked up at the jail.”
“Thank you, Levi,” Jake said. “I will catch up with you at the doc’s office.”
An hour later, Jake arrived at the clinic. “What’s the news, doc? Can he be moved?”
Dr. Ramsey nodded. “The bullet went straight through his shoulder. I stitched him up and he should be fine.”
“Then I’ll be taking him off your hands and putting him where he belongs,” Jake stated. “Can you come with me, Levi?”
“Whatever you need, Jake.”
The men made their way over to the jail in the new sheriff’s office.
Levi looked around the building with two desks and two cells. “Do you run this place yourself?”
Jake nodded as he put the cattle thieves behind bars. “For now. I got authorization from Abilene to hire on a new deputy.” Turning to Levi, he inquired, “You wouldn’t be interested in the position, would you?”
“I was planning on sticking around to win back the heart of a certain rancher’s strawberry-blond daughter anyhow.” With a small chuckle, Levi added, “It couldn’t hurt to have a shiny, silver badge on my chest when I do my pleading.”
Twenty-Five
Abigail was at the front desk of the Rockwood Springs Hotel when she heard Levi’s voice ask from behind, “Why are you here at the hotel?”
She turned around to face him. She noticed the bandage on his arm and asked with concern, “What happened?”
“You didn’t hear?” he asked in shock, pulling her to the side away from everyone hearing their conversation.
“Hear what?”
“Morris Jeffers came after me two hours ago. Jake and I subdued him before he harmed anyone.”
“It seems you caught your thief after all. Shouldn’t you be on your way to collect your bounty?” she asked with a hint of sadness.
“Miss Abigail, the man behind the desk gave me a penny candy,” Tabitha said as she ran up. She pulled on Abigail’s yellow dress with a big smile on her face. “Can I eat it?”
“Sure, sweetie,” Abigail nodded. She pointed to the other part of the lobby and suggested, “Why don’t you go sit on the chair over there.”
Abigail’s new charge did as told.
“Who is the child? Why does she seem to be in your care?”
“Tabitha is Billy Dalton’s daughter. I couldn’t bear for her to be sent to an orphanage. I offered to take her in.”
Levi nodded as he smiled at her. “Not surprising; you have one of the most generous hearts I’ve ever known.” Levi looked at her luggage and inquired, “Why are you staying in the hotel?”
“It's temporary until I figure out where to go. My father gave me an ultimatum regarding Andy Wilson, and I chose to be on my own rather than be forced to marry a man like that. I would rather be alone than with a man I can’t trust.”
“I hope you don’t count me in that category. I hate to think you can’t trust me. What can I do to convince you everything I told you, all we shared, was honest?”
Abigail wanted to believe him, part of her did, but it scared her. She didn’t know how to open her heart to him again.
“I’m not sure,” she stated bluntly. “I didn’t know the biggest part about you. You kept it from me when you had more than one chance to tell me. I shared everything with you, and you kept this huge secret from me.”
Levi pulled her towards him and looked deep into her eyes. “If I could do it all different, I would. You’re right. You deserved better than that. If you give me another chance, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I promise to be honest with
you from this point forward.”
“What happened between us doesn’t matter anymore. I have to consider what is best for Tabitha and put aside what I want.”
“Are you saying you want to be with me?”
Abigail froze in place. What had she said? The words had slipped past her lips without her realizing what they meant. Yet, in her heart she knew it to be true. She knew she wanted him when he asked to court her after Judy’s wedding, when he told her he wanted to spend his life with her after the cattle drive, and when Jake told her not to give up on him.
He placed his hand on the side of her face and whispered, “Marry me, Abigail Larsen, and make me the happiest man in the world.”
She blinked several times before she let out the breath she didn’t even realize she had been holding. “What? What did you just ask me?”
“I asked you to marry me,” Levi repeated. “I want you to be my wife. I want Tabitha to be our daughter—because anyone you care about, I care about.”
Abigail shook and sputtered, “Are you crazy? You can’t blurt out a question like that.”
“I can and I did. Tell me you will; tell me you’ll marry me right now.”
Tears cascaded down Abigail’s face as a smile formed. Levi enfolded her in his embrace.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes, yes I will marry you.” She leaned back and pushed his duster coat out of the way. “What’s this?” Abigail inquired, staring at the deputy sheriff badge on his chest.
“Oh, in all the chaos I forgot to tell you, Jake offered me a job as a deputy sheriff. I am going to work alongside him. I took the job hoping to have time to convince you to take me back. You don’t mind being married to a lawman, do you?”
She nuzzled against his neck and inquired with an amused smile, “Did I mention, I’ve always been partial to a man with a silver star on his chest?”
“No, I would have remembered that, but it makes me even more sure I made the right decision accepting the job.”