At that juncture, hearing more details about the ongoing horrific enslavement at the silver mine, Will had decided it would be necessary for the group to return home for rest, rations, and reinforcements before tackling the next problem on his agenda.
“B’sides,” he had noted, “both these little gals are fagged out. Best get ’em off to bed somewheres they can sleep.”
Matt wouldn’t have dreamed of arguing with that salient point. Now, if it could only have been his bed…
Leaving general instructions for the ranch staff to proceed as usual until arrangements could be made, sending Raquel to pack up her belongings, William had commandeered a wagon from the Condor’s stable, along with a couple of horses. The whole troop had set off for the city with a general air of relief and a sense of light-heartedness for what had been accomplished thus far.
Returning Star to her cabin, with Raquel as an unexpected guest who soon gratefully collapsed in the bedroom, Matt had been disposed to linger. After all that had happened, he wanted only to stay, to bill and coo with his lady love. And who could blame him? Especially with such a willing—no, eager—participant.
But eventually fatigue overcame them both. Short of spending the rest of the night there, Matt was forced to take his leave, in such a state of arousal that only a long, cool before-dawn walk gave him respite.
And then it was on to his own home, to greet his excited, enthusiastic son next morning and offer information and an explanation to his worried housekeeper. One more task awaited him: making sure Frances paid another visit to Adsila Mendoza, to bring her up-to-date about current developments and provide reassurance as to her daughter’s safety.
Next day’s trip, locked and loaded and armed for bear, a force much increased in numbers had departed for the east, heading into the area containing Bower’s silver mine as described by Raquel, from details in her brother’s letter.
“Dunno how long we’ll be gone,” Matt had said quietly, on the threshold early that morning. One boot in, one boot out; longing to remain, needing to depart. “It’s a far piece, and slow goin’ across the state, with a wagon, a bunch of peace officers, and lawmen from every agency Will could think of.”
“And where is this?”
“Toward the Sierra Nevadas,” he explained, “near some place called Juliet Camp. And God knows what we’ll find when we get there.”
Star’s eyes searched his beloved features. “Dangerous, Matt?”
“Dunno that either, Star, girl.”
Meaningless to add words of caution, or discretion. He would be as careful as he could be. That was it.
With a little shiver of foreboding, she stepped into his open arms, hiding her bruised face against his pine-scented shirtfront. “Come back to me, Matthew Yancey,” she whispered. “Promise that you will come back to me. Swear it.”
His big hand smoothed down over the thick black hair, done up now in a heavy knot. “Why, Star, sweetheart, o’ course I’m comin’ back to you.” Head bowed, she did not see but sensed his lopsided smile. “We got us a weddin’ t’ plan for.”
For ten days the posse—for so it was, consisting of constabulary that increased as it rolled along, like a snowball gathering force and speed—engaged in their crime-fighting venture,while those staying behind counted the hours until their safe return.
And then suddenly they were home again, every one of them, to report a rousing success. The slave labor had been freed, guards taken into custody, families reunited—chiefly Benito and his overjoyed sister, Raquel. Even the governor had gotten involved. No accidents or deaths, but several wounded. One of whom was Matt.
“I promised I’d come back,” he said a trifle crossly from his seat of honor on Star’s settee, protesting the fuss made by his son, his housekeeper, and, most of all, his sweetheart. “I didn’t say I’d come back whole.”
“You hush now,” Star ordered with touching severity. “Just sit there, and don’t move or I will put opiates in your tea to make you sleep. And you know I can do it, too. A bullet through the arm is nothing to make light of, Mr. Yancey. I am here to take care of you. I will serve your every need. I will—”
“Every need?” Matt cocked his head to one side, eyes glinting with mischief. “Well, let me tell you, I’ve got some needs, all right. C’mere, Star.”
Now Matt, fully recovered, stood nervously waiting near the front of the church for his bride. His five-year-old son stood happily waiting beside him. His good friend Frances stood proudly waiting across from him. His future mother-in-law sat uncertainly yet hopefully waiting in the front pew.
For all her invaluable help in tracking down the Los Huesos bunch, Adsila Mendoza had been granted a full pardon by the governor and could walk anywhere freely and by safe passage. Her husband, Daniel, a handsome mustachioed man who would shortly be escorting his daughter down the aisle, couldn’t stop beaming about the many boons being suddenly granted during these past few tumultuous weeks.
All of Matt’s brothers were present. Eight of them had thrown aside business matters and personal affairs to attend, without regard to cost. Even though the Civil War was still raging across the continent, they had somehow managed to find transportation in order to attend. The ninth, John, who had recently returned from Boston with his new wife, Cecelia, was parked near the front for support.
“Her wedding gown is gorgeous,” murmured Cecelia, as Star drifted by in a simple, cool dress of ivory lace satin and tulle. “And so is she.”
“Huh, sure is,” whispered her husband in return. “But I got me the cream of the crop.”
Despite an understandable case of nerves, Star was able to glance around as she proceeded on her father’s arm toward the altar, where flickering candles beckoned and the good pastor stood ready. Daniel smiled down at her. The small crowd of guests smiled up at her. Her groom smiled across at her.
And then he winked.
The End
Thank You
I hope you enjoyed this story and would love to know what you thought about it. If you have a moment to spare, I would appreciate it if you could leave a review of this book at Amazon. Your opinion goes a long way in helping others decide if a book is for them.
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Morris
About the Author
Morris Fenris was born into a poor family in the Fiji Islands. Thanks to his own grit, determination and the support of his loving parents, he was able to embark on a journey that has seen him attain a good education and work in many parts of the world.
Morris has been writing since childhood, drawing on his experiences in life and emulating the styles of his favorite authors.
Morris enjoys reading and writing in a wide range of genres and has plans for many more books. If you’d like to get in touch with this author, please message him on Twitter at #MorrisFenris or find him on Facebook.
Book List
Links to other books by Morris Fenris:
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Montana-Christian-Christmas-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00GU2DJBO
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-California-Christian-Christmas-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00MK9UGSA
http://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-Morris-Fenris-ebook/dp/B00FG0WJB2
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Christmas-Vampires-paranormal-Christian-ebook/dp/B00G7GBIL6
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Christmas-Heart-Warming-Forgiveness-Togetherness-ebook/dp/B00GHPFYO4
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Life-Heart-Warming-Relationship-Togetherness-ebook/dp/B00GM2Y0TM
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Heart-Warming-Holidays-Forgiveness-Togetherness-ebook/dp/B00G1XIORG
http://www.amazon.com/Adults-Books-Christmas-Stories-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B00GR0SFOU
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Fantasy-Adventure-paranormal-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B00IOMHKFE
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Beginnings-Christian-Christmas-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00OPE4NQE
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Young-Christian-Christmas-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00PB09BUO
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Christmas-Reunion-Christian-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00PVCLLT6
http://www.amazon.com/Taking-High-Road-Western-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00QH2FD98
A Western Romance: Matthew Yancey: Taking the High Road (Book 2) (Taking the High Road series) Page 11