Why had Clay spared his life?
Beau had no desire to go after the man, but neither did he have as much peace as he wanted. He’d hated Clay for five years. It would take more than five days to break the habit. Tonight, when he’d touched the bullet, the hate had burned as bright as ever. Even now, with Dani’s kiss fresh on his lips, he could feel the old resentment.
A month ago, he’d have raised his fist at the heavens. Tonight he bowed his head. “I want peace, Lord. What do I have to do?”
Beau knew the answer in his gut. He had to forgive Clay Johnson.
“Not in a million years,” he said out loud.
The silent nudge to his heart turned into pain, but he could only groan. The Lord was asking too much. Beau wouldn’t go after Clay, but neither could he forgive the man for what he’d done. Beau knew he had a problem. His hate for Clay had the potential to stand between himself and Dani. It also made it hard for Beau to see past the stars to the God who’d made them. “I can’t forgive him,” he said out loud. “If You want me to forgive that scum, I need help.”
Irked, Beau gathered his dirty clothes, the bar of soap and his shaving kit. He’d cleaned up as best as he could, but he still felt the grit of his trip. He’d said no when Dani asked him into the kitchen for supper, but he couldn’t deny his need for sleep. Exhausted in every way, he headed back to the barn where he slept until the sun spilled through the window. As if he’d never left the farm, he awoke the next morning and milked the cows. It felt good to do chores and even better to walk into the kitchen where he saw Dani at the stove.
She smiled shyly.
Beau wanted to kiss her but didn’t. They couldn’t honor the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding, but he wanted everything else to be perfect. Nothing else mattered, least of all his turmoil concerning Clay Johnson.
He eyed the bacon. “Smells good.”
She blushed.
Before he could tease her, Emma walked into the room. She saw Beau and gasped. Ellie came up behind her, shrieked and ran to hug him. Esther charged at his knees. Beau looked at Dani and grinned.
She nodded, a silent signal to tell the girls their news. Just like Josh and Adie, he and his wife-to-be could trade thoughts without a word.
Beau sat down, putting him level with girls. “Dani and I have something to tell you.”
All three straightened. Emma looked wary. Children who’d lost a parent learned to be cautious. Beau intended to erase that fear. “We’re getting married today.”
The younger girls squealed, but Emma stayed serious. “Are you staying for good?”
“I am.”
She turned to Dani. “Is it true?”
“It better be.” She smiled at him. “I stayed up half the night pressing my dress.”
“Can I see it?” Ellie asked.
“Sure,” Dani answered. “After breakfast.”
As if this were an ordinary day, they sat at the table and ate. While the females chattered, Beau took in the blush of Dani’s cheeks, the awe in Emma’s eyes and the sight of Ellie and Esther eating oatmeal as if it tasted like ice cream. As a man who’d once lost everything, he knew the value of a single moment. He and Dani would remember this day forever. Every minute counted; every gesture meant more because of the vows they’d take. Nothing would spoil this day. Beau wouldn’t allow it.
When they finished eating, the girls cleared the table. He went to his room where he shaved a second time, put on a suit and fancy tie, then hitched up the surrey and pulled it into the yard. Ellie, dressed for church with a red ribbon in her hair, waved to him. Emma and Esther came out the door, followed by Dani who had a satchel in hand. She’d done up her hair with white ribbons but hadn’t put on her wedding dress. She had it in the bag and would change at the parsonage. He met her on the steps, took the satchel and stowed it in the back of the surrey.
The girls climbed in on their own, but Dani waited for him. When he offered his hand, she took it and squeezed. “This is the best day of my life.”
“Mine, too.”
He helped her onto the seat, then took the reins. As they pulled out of the yard, Beau felt a mix of joy and tension. Five years had passed since he’d been inside a church. The last time had been in Denver and he’d walked out in the middle of a hymn. He wanted to erase that memory, so he winked at Dani and started to hum.
She heard the first notes of “Camp Town Races” and laughed.
The girls laughed, too.
That’s how they arrived at the parsonage, a family sharing a moment they’d never forget. Beau halted the surrey at the foot of the steps. As his nieces climbed down, he took Dani’s hand. A man didn’t kiss his bride before the wedding, but his wife-to-be had a look that made him think about it. Feeling mischievous, he leaned a bit closer. Her eyes gleamed with a dare. Beau moved another inch. So did she.
Their lips were inches apart when Adie opened the parsonage door. “Beau Morgan! Don’t you dare kiss the bride. At least not yet!”
Laughing, Dani drew back and hopped down from the seat. After fetching the satchel, she ran up the steps, stopped at the open door and blew him a kiss.
Adie hugged Dani, then approached Beau. “I’m glad to see her happy.”
“Me, too.”
“What about you, Beau?” she asked. “How are you feeling?”
“Good.”
“Just good?”
He grinned. “More than good. I’m a happy man, Adie.”
“Josh told me about Clay. It’s a strange story.”
Beau wished she hadn’t mentioned it. Just hearing Clay’s name stirred up old feelings. He had to put them aside, especially today. When Dani came down the aisle, she’d see love in his eyes. Nothing else.
He forced his jaw to unclench. “That story will have to wait.”
“Of course.” Adie stepped back. “Go find Josh. He wants a word before the ceremony.”
Beau nodded, but he had no intention of speaking with his friend. If Josh mentioned Clay, Beau would be hard-pressed to keep his composure.
He clicked to the horses, then steered to the field where farmers would leave their rigs. He’d brought Dani early so she could dress, but he had a need of his own. It had been a long time since he’d been in God’s house, and he wanted a moment alone. He tied the horse, then ambled to the front of the church where he saw the brass knobs shining in the sun.
A sudden dread turned Beau’s feet to sand. He’d made his peace with God last night, but he had the terrible feeling his anger was about to erupt again. A month ago, Beau could have left in a snit. Today he had to go inside. He’d promised Dani a perfect day and he intended to give it to her. With his hat in hand, he walked into the church.
The building matched the one he’d known in Denver. Seven windows, the width of a man’s shoulders and as tall, lined the two longest walls. Sunshine poured in through the glass, casting beams that met on the floor and made a row of diamonds. Two sets of pews waited to be filled and Josh’s podium, the same one he’d used in Denver, displayed an elaborate etching of an eagle.
Peace settled around Beau like the blanket Dani had spread for their first picnic. It opened, fluttered down and landed in a perfect square. Beau blinked and tasted apples. He felt God’s mercy in the cool air. Divine love abounded in the light. Beau had come home.
Thank you, Lord.
With the prayer on his lips, he raised his eyes to the front wall of the church. In Denver, he’d have seen a wooden cross. What he saw now turned the picnic blanket into a bloody pink dress. Stones of pink rhyolite, the finest he’d ever seen, formed a cross in the center of a gray wall. Someone had polished the rocks to a shine, bringing out veins of red and black.
Bitterness gripped him from the inside and squeezed. He didn’t want these feelings. Not now. Not with Dani about to become his wife. He wanted to be rid of them forever, but he couldn’t control his reaction. Hate lived in his blood. It pumped from the very core of his being. A horse cou
ldn’t change its color. Neither could Beau stop the hatred burning in his gut.
He wanted to walk out of the church and never come back.
He wanted to see Clay Johnson die.
He wanted God to end the pain. A stifled groan tore at Beau’s throat. He wanted to fight. He wanted to weep. More than anything, he wanted to be free from his own stupid thoughts. “Help me,” he whispered.
The stones stayed silent. Beau spun on his heel and walked out the door. He’d marry Dani in spite of the shiny pink cross, but his heart had gone dark. Struggling to stay calm, he paced to the far end of the porch, as far as he could get from the people arriving for the service. In spite of Beau’s scowl, men called out to him and women smiled.
Trevor Scott walked the length of the porch to offer congratulations. Beau shook his hand but said nothing.
Sheriff Dawes said hello.
John Baylor tipped his hat. “Thanks, Morgan.”
Harriet Lange saw him and offered a gracious dip of her chin, a sign of surrender. After today, the girls would never have to worry about stupid teacups.
Beau was close to breathing normally when Josh came out of the church. “There you are.”
Beau grunted.
Josh’s smile died. “Are you as nervous as you look?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I just need a minute.”
Josh lowered his voice. “Memories?”
Beau shook his head.
“Second thoughts?”
“Not a one.” His voice rasped. “It’s Johnson. He’s got me by the throat.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Josh’s expression turned as hard as flint.
“You’re the one who won’t let go.”
Beau scowled. “I don’t need a lecture.”
“I don’t want to give one,” Josh said. “Considering what Johnson did to you, I don’t have that right. But there’s someone who does.”
“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son…Forgive your enemies as I have forgiven you.”
Beau’s jaw tensed. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“You think forgiving Johnson’s impossible, don’t you?”
“It is.”
“Not for God.” Josh stepped closer. “Are you willing, Beau? That’s all that counts. The Lord does the rest.”
Before Beau could tell Josh to drop dead, Adie opened the parsonage door and waved.
“That’s our signal,” the minister said. “Your bride’s waiting.”
Nothing would stop Beau from making this day perfect for Dani. Not Clay Johnson and not a pink cross. He pushed by Josh. “Let’s go.”
With the minister in his wake, Beau walked down the aisle to the front row where he sat alone. The pianist struck the chords to a lively hymn. When the music ended, Josh stepped to the podium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have a surprise. Most of you have met Daniela Baxter. I’m pleased to announce that she and Beau Morgan are getting married this morning.”
Applause broke out.
Josh signaled to him. “Come up here.”
Beau stood and turned to the congregation. Josh signaled to the pianist, who played “Blessed Assurance,” Dani’s favorite hymn. Someone closed the door. Any minute it would open again and the wedding would begin. Dani would enter in a cloud of white. Thoughts of her calmed Beau’s nerves. When the knob turned, his heart soared. Someone cracked open the door, but just a foot. Instead of Dani, he saw a man. And not just any man…Clay Johnson had come to church.
Expecting Dani, the congregation turned to look. No one paid attention as Clay slipped into the back pew. Dawes had never seen him. Wallace didn’t attend church. John Baylor had seen three men in masks. He didn’t know Clay Johnson from Adam, but Beau did. So did Josh. The minister gripped Beau’s shoulder but didn’t speak. The decision to confront Johnson now or stay silent belonged to Beau alone.
Instinctively, he sized up the situation. If Clay had something ugly in mind, the people in the pews were lambs waiting for slaughter. Beau had a two-shot pistol in his boot, but he hadn’t worn his gun belt. Dawes carried a revolver, but the man had no instincts.
With Beau watching, Clay squeezed between a matron with a feathered hat and the blacksmith, a man twice his size. He had on a worn shirt and trousers. No hat to hide his face. No coat to hide weapons. When the matron smiled, Clay smiled back as though he meant it. Beau didn’t know why the outlaw had come to church, but he felt certain it wasn’t for the wrong reasons. As long as he stayed in the pew, Beau could endure the confusion pulsing through him. This was Dani’s day. Nothing else mattered.
Unaware of the drama, Adie opened the door wide. The pianist pounded the keys with a new vigor. Esther, holding a bouquet of roses, walked down the aisle with surprising dignity. Ellie followed and Emma came next. The three of them lined up opposite Beau. He didn’t know where to look—at Clay or the door where Dani would appear.
The pianist struck the opening notes of a bridal march. The music soared to the rafters, bounced off the walls and filled Beau’s head with memories of singing hymns in the barn. He had a new life…a good life. He loved Dani more than he could say. God had saved Beau’s soul, but she’d saved him from his hate. No way would he give Clay Johnson this precious moment. Without a whit of hesitation, he focused on the spot where he’d see his bride for the first time.
Just as he imagined, Dani came through the door in a cloud of ivory and gold. A veil hid her eyes but not her smile. Her dress, a mix of lace and silk, made him think of snow melting in the sun. When she’d first arrived at the farm, he’d complained of too much purity and light. Now he cherished it. When Dani reached his side, he touched her elbow and smiled. Together they faced Josh.
When he saw the minister’s scowl, Beau remembered Clay Johnson. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “Do the ceremony.”
Dani didn’t understand. Why would Beau tell Josh to go ahead with their vows? Had Harriet Lange threatened to protest the wedding? Dani glanced at Beau and saw nothing but confidence. It settled her nerves until she saw Josh peering over Beau’s shoulder. She wanted to turn but couldn’t. Every eye in the room was focused on her back.
The minister cleared his throat. “Dearly Beloved, we’re gathered here today to witness the joining of Daniela Baxter and Beau Morgan in holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred bond, one that unites a man and woman for the rest of their lives.”
Josh sounded steadier, but he glanced again to the back corner of the church. His eyes hardened. She’d seen him use that look once before. Harold Day had been harsh with his wife and Josh had escorted him outside for a talk.
Was he looking at Harriet Lange? Who else would disrupt the wedding? Dani didn’t know, but she’d go toe-to-toe with anyone who’d question her love for Beau. Apparently sensing her unrest, he gripped her elbow. Josh opened his Bible, looked from Dani to Beau, then focused on the congregation. “I know Beau and Dani well. They’ve overcome loss, heartache and challenges to their faith. It’s a privilege to lead them in their vows.”
Dani breathed a sigh of relief. In a moment she and Beau would be joined forever.
Josh looked first to Dani. “Face Beau and repeat after me. ‘I,’ then say your name.”
Dani looked into Beau’s eyes. “I, Daniela Sarah Baxter.”
“Take you, Beaumont Christopher Morgan.”
“Take you, Beaumont Christopher Morgan—”
“To be my wedded husband.”
“To be my—”
Footsteps pounded up the stairs. Startled, Dani turned and saw a balding man in a white apron charge into the church.
“I gotta talk to Beau!”
Beau looked mad enough to spit. “Not now, Wallace.”
“But I saw Clay Johnson!”
“I said—”
“But he’s here,” said the barkeep. “I saw him ride into town.”
Sheriff Dawes pushed to his feet. John Baylor followed. The
room broke into a tumult. Johnson and his gang spelled danger for everyone but something even more sinister for Dani. Beau’s greatest temptation lay within his grasp. Today he would choose between love and hate.
She looked up at his face, but his eyes were skimming the congregation. She started to lower her flowers, a surrender to the inevitable, but he clasped her fingers under the bouquet and kept it level. He raised his other hand to signal the crowd.
“Hold up!” he shouted.
The room went still.
“Sit down. All of you.”
They sat…except for a ragged-looking man in the back pew. Needing to see clearly, Dani lifted her veil. She’d seen the stranger slip into the church just before her entrance. She hadn’t given him a thought. Looking at him now, she put the pieces together. Clay Johnson had come to church.
The outlaw glanced at Dani. “I’m sorry, miss. I didn’t mean to spoil your day.”
Dani didn’t need the wedding hoopla, but she feared desperately for Beau.
He still had his hand on hers. “What do you want, Johnson?”
“What happened in Denver…” His voice quavered. “I didn’t mean to kill your wife. It wasn’t exactly an accident. I was aiming for you, but that seemed fair at the time. When she fell, I…” His eyes rose to the pink cross, lingered on the stones, then focused on Josh. “I can’t live with what I did. My mama was a God-fearing woman. She’d be ashamed of me.”
Josh met his gaze. “You’re not alone, Clay.”
“I know, Reverend. You told me about the whale.”
Dani didn’t know anything about whales, but she saw a broken man. Was Beau’s quest for justice finally over? With a prayer on her lips, she turned to read his expression. She saw wonder in his eyes, even awe.
He looked at Clay without rancor. “You came to turn yourself in, didn’t you?”
“That’s right.”
“In the canyon,” he said. “You could have killed me, but you didn’t.”
“I have a bullet coming. You don’t.”
Beau squeezed Dani’s hand so hard she felt the tension in her wrists. “I’m no better than you, Clay.” With a shine in his eyes, Beau faced Dani. “As sure as Clay took Lucy’s life, I almost destroyed our future. I put the girls at risk, and I left you to suffer the consequences of my stupidity. I will never make that mistake again.”
The Bounty Hunter's Bride Page 24