A Bounty Hunter and the Bride

by Vickie McDonough

  “You ain’t catching me.” Nick shouted over his shoulder. He dodged past Katie, and she grabbed his arm, then got ahold of Nathan.

  “Hush!” she squealed in a loud whisper. “I just got Joey to sleep. And you know your mom doesn’t want you running in the house.”

  “But I’m an outlaw, and I gotta get away.” Nick shrugged out of her grasp and charged for the stairs.

  “Let me go, Katie. I gotta catch that mangy varmint.” Nathan twisted and squirmed, then pulled free, racing after his brother.

  Katie held her breath, hoping and praying their ruckus didn’t wake Joey. When he didn’t cry, she tiptoed to the stairs. As her foot hit the first step, Joey squeaked. Katie closed her eyes and uttered a quick prayer for strength for herself and peace for her son. How did a new mother ever get anything done?

  As Joey’s crying intensified, she turned around and went back into the bedroom. Maybe if she took him outside, he might quiet down. Carrying her son, Katie reentered the hallway but found Deborah blocking her path.

  “Sorry, I was looking for the book I’ve been reading. Mom doesn’t need me for a while, so I thought I’d read a chapter or two.”

  Katie stepped to her left at the same time Deborah did. She moved to the right side of the hall as her cousin did the same.

  Deborah giggled. “Pa keeps saying this house is too small, and I think he’s right. It wasn’t so bad when you and Jimmy were gone, but it’s crowded now that you’re both home.”

  Katie knew Deborah was just stating the obvious, but her cousin’s words cut her to the quick. Deb was right. Both Jimmy and Katie were grown adults and should be out on their own. She couldn’t fault her brother though. After getting wounded in the Spanish-American War, he’d come home to recuperate. Now that he was well, he couldn’t seem to find a place to settle. He would stay here a few months and then just ride off without anyone knowing where he’d gone.

  She hated that he was so restless and missed him terribly when he was gone, but she knew war changed people—and it had changed her brother.

  With the flannel blanket secure around Joey, she had a driving ache to find Jimmy. He’d returned two days ago but had been so busy she hadn’t had time to have a good chat with him.

  She looked in the kitchen and found it empty, then peeked in Rebekah and Mason’s bedroom and found her aunt sitting in her chair in the corner of the room, sound asleep with a book on her chest. Katie hurried away lest Joey fuss and wake her.

  Outside, she saw the boys running around the barn. One would think they’d need a nap by the hectic pace they kept, but Rebekah had given up when they turned four. It became such a battle to keep the active boys in their beds for a half-hour rest that she and Rebekah needed an hour-long nap to recover. At least the boys collapsed at night once in bed.

  The barn door was open, so Katie wandered in, hoping to find Jimmy. She heard someone moving around in the loft and glanced up. “Who’s up there?”

  Jimmy peered down and smiled. “Hey, sis. Whatcha doing?”

  “Walking Joey. He has been fussing all afternoon. How about you?”

  “I’m just rearranging these hay bales so we can get some more up here.”

  “Can you take a break and talk to me for a few minutes?”

  Jimmy swiped his arm across his forehead. “Sure. I could use a few minutes’ rest.” He grabbed a rope hanging from the ceiling and shinnied down. “What’s wrong with my nephew?

  I could hear him crying clear out here.”

  Katie sighed. “I wish I knew.” She looked at Joey and realized he’d fallen back asleep.

  “Let’s sit on the porch.” Jimmy’s boots thudded on the hard dirt floor as he walked out of the barn.

  “Where are Uncle Mason and Josh?” Katie asked.

  Jimmy stopped at the well and took a swig of water from the bucket. “They’re out in the field, loading more hay in the wagon.”

  “Should Uncle Mason be doing such difficult work so soon after his accident?”

  Jimmy shrugged. “I offered to do it, but you know how stubborn he is. Rebekah should be glad he rested up a whole week. That’s nothing short of a miracle.”

  “Just goes to show you how badly he was hurt. Plus Dusty was here to help out until you got back.”

  Jimmy lowered himself in the porch rocker, dusted off his shirt, and reached for Joey. Katie eyed his shirt and dirty hands.

  “Aw, c’mon, sis. It’s just hay. I promise I haven’t shoveled any manure today.”

  Katie winced, then laid her son in her brother’s arms. Jimmy loved kids and would make a great dad someday. If only he got over his wanderlust.

  “Are you planning to stay long?” She sat in the rocker next to him and watched Jimmy’s face.

  He looked at Joey with a hunger that surprised her. Then he gazed off into the distance. She followed his stare and saw the twins galloping in the field toward their father. She felt a pang of regret that she wasn’t watching them better, but then nobody could keep up with those two.

  “I’m not sure how long I’ll stay. I probably ought to be finding a place of my own before too long.”

  “You could always come live with me.”

  Jimmy looked at her, a lopsided grin pulling at one cheek. “I am living with you.”

  “Oh, you know what I mean.” She smacked him on his arm.

  “I’m guessing you mean your farm. Last I heard, you didn’t have a house to live in.”

  “Maybe you could rebuild it?”

  Jimmy pressed his lips together and stared at Joey. “I don’t know, sis. I’ve heard there’s talk of an oil strike up near Tulsa. I’ve been thinking of heading up there and seeing if I can find work.”

  “Tulsa! But that’s at least two days’ ride.”

  “Not by train.”

  “Well, no, but who has the money for a train? I sure don’t.” Katie hiked her chin, hurt that her brother wanted to leave again.

  Jimmy laid his head back and closed his eyes.

  She had no right to stop him if he wanted to go to Tulsa. And as much as she loved her family, she’d leave, too, if she had a choice. An eighteen-year-old woman had no business mooching off her relatives. And as crowded as her aunt and uncle’s home was, she knew it would be a blessing to her family if she weren’t there.

  But where could she go?

  If only Dusty returned her affections. Maybe they could—no. She’d come close once to marrying a man she’d only known a few months, and here she was toying with the idea of marrying a man she’d known only a few weeks. Was she daft?

  But wasn’t this different? God had brought Dusty into her life. Then again, hadn’t she thought the same thing about Allan?

  Katie sighed and leaned her head back against the rocker. Life was so complicated at times. How could her feelings for Dusty have grown so quickly? A few weeks ago, she despised him, but now he claimed a chunk of her heart. If she moved away, she’d never see him again, and that thought hurt as much as had losing her farmhouse to the fire. But she couldn’t live with her aunt and uncle forever.

  She looked toward the cloudy gray sky—a sky that mirrored her emotions. What do I do, Lord? Show me the way You want me to go.

  Katie stood in line to exit the church building, the children behind her nudging her in the back and side in their anxiousness to get out and see their friends. “Hold your horses,” she murmured.

  Uncle Mason shook the parson’s hand. “Mighty fine message today.”

  Parson Davis smiled. “Thank you, Mason. It’s good to have you with us again.”

  “Good to be here.”

  After Rebekah and Josh greeted the minister, Katie stuck her fingers out from under Joey’s blanket and shook the parson’s hand. “Thank you for your message, sir.”

  He nodded and looked past her to the next person. Katie slipped outside, and the twins and Deborah dashed around her and down the porch steps. She found Rebekah talking with some of her friends. Joey was getting hungry, but there
was no place in this crowd where she could feed him. Glancing around, her heart jumped when she saw Mrs. Howard, her teacher for her first few years of school.

  The middle-aged woman caught her gaze and waved. “Katie dear, how are you?”

  Katie smiled as the woman drew closer. “Fine. Thank you. How about you?”

  Mrs. Howard pressed her lips together. “I’m doing well, though I miss Albert something awful.”

  “I know just what you mean.”

  “Oh, Katie, I’m sorry. How could I be so insensitive?” She laid her hand on Katie’s arm and tilted her head. “I’d forgotten you also lost your husband. At least I had Albert for a good ten years. But let’s not talk about sad things. Who’s this sweet little fellow?”

  Katie beamed a smile. “My son—Jarrod Joseph Hoffman Jr. But we call him Joey.”

  “My, my, but that name is a mouthful.” She leaned over and touched Joey’s head. “What a little darling. Albert and I were never blessed with children.”

  Katie winced. At least God had blessed her with a son. She empathized with Mrs. Howard and thought how lonely she must be.

  “I’m teaching again—up in Cushing.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful. You always were my favorite teacher. I hated it when you left, even though I was happy that you got married.”

  “I missed all you children, too.” Mrs. Howard pushed her wire-framed glasses up on her thin nose. “I thought you’d moved away. Are you living back in Guthrie again?”

  “For a time. I have a farm near Claremont, but my house burned down, so I’m staying at Uncle Mason’s for now. But I hope to find a place of my own soon.”

  “Oh, you poor dear. You’ve been through so much for someone so young.” She rested her elbow in her hand and tapped the forefinger of her other hand against her lips. “You know, I’ve been thinking about taking in a boarder or two. Would you possibly be interested in coming to live with me?”

  Katie gasped. Could this be God’s answer to her prayer?

  Her first thought was that she’d probably never see Dusty again. But then wouldn’t that be the best thing since he’d never care for her like she did him?

  And he hadn’t been at church today. This must be God’s confirmation and provision.

  “You know, Mrs. Howard, I just might take you up on your offer. That is, if you wouldn’t mind a boarder with a child.”

  A smile broke out on the woman’s face. “I’d be delighted!” She pulled a piece of paper from her handbag, fished out the stub of a pencil, and wrote something down. “Here’s my address. I’ll be in town for several more days, visiting my sister, Ida Johnson. Think about it and let me know before I leave town, if you can. But right now, I believe the marshal’s deputy would like to speak with you.” Her twinkling gaze focused on something past Katie’s shoulder. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.” She squeezed Katie’s hand, then walked off to join her sister.

  Katie whirled around, and her heart leaped at the sight of Dusty. He wore the white shirt she’d made him, although it wasn’t too white at the moment. His black pants and vest were covered with dust, and Dusty stood twisting his sweat-stained hat in his hands. He looked as if he was trying to live up to his name. He must have just gotten home from a long, hard ride.

  “You’re moving away?”

  The distressed expression on his face took her breath away, making her sorry that he’d overheard her conversation. Maybe he did care for her after all.

  Dusty felt as though a horse had kicked him in the chest.

  Katie was leaving.

  Just when he realized that he cared deeply for her.

  Katie blinked. “Well, it’s not for sure yet, but yes, I’m thinking about moving in with Mrs. Howard, who lives in Cushing.”

  Dusty studied the ground and stood with his hands on his hips, knowing it was the only way he could keep them from trembling. How could he let her go? He’d lost the first woman he loved, although he couldn’t help that, but this time, maybe he had a chance. He looked up and noted they were surrounded by people. All around him he could hear the chatter of small groups of townsfolk, squealing children at play, and laughter. What he needed to say couldn’t be said here. “Will you walk with me for a bit?”

  Katie nodded. She glanced around, found Deborah, and then motioned for the girl. “Would you mind watching Joey for a few minutes?”

  Deborah’s eyes lit up. “Of course not. My friends all love him.” She carried off the baby and was quickly surrounded by a throng of adolescent girls.

  Katie slipped her arm through Dusty’s, and her hand felt warm against his solid arm. He guided her past the church and away from staring eyes.

  While he was off chasing some cattle rustlers the past few days, he had considered his options. Now that Katie’s cast was off, she no longer needed him to be responsible for her. The problem was he liked caring for her.

  He’d thought things through, over and over again. There was only one answer. If Katie were to marry him, she’d have a husband to care and provide for her, and Joey would have a father. She could live in Guthrie and still be close to her family, but not dependent on them. If only she would agree.

  He walked her past the parsonage, where the minister’s wife had planted a multitude of chrysanthemums in front of her porch. Gold, dark red, and deep purple flowers brightened an otherwise-barren landscape. “Pretty, aren’t they?”

  Katie nodded, but Dusty thought she was prettier than any flower. She looked beautiful in that dark blue dress. Her hair was piled up onto the back of her head, with rebellious wisps that had escaped their binds curling around her face in an appealing manner.

  He cleared his throat. “Listen, Katie, we don’t have a lot of time before you’ll need to go. I want to ask you something.” Dusty’s heart ricocheted in his chest as it did when he was closing in on a dangerous outlaw.

  She stared at him wide-eyed, as if she expected him to say something strange. “What is it?”

  “I don’t want you to leave.”

  Katie blinked, and her brows dipped down. “Why not? You know how important my independence is to me.”

  Dusty crossed his arms, then uncrossed them and wiped his moist palms on his pants. He shoved his hands in his pocket. “Yeah, I know. That’s why I’ve come up with a solution.” He took a deep breath, then looked into her eyes. “I want you to marry me.”

  Katie opened her mouth, then closed it, staring at him as if he’d gone loco. “And just why should I consider such an idea?”

  Dusty knew he wasn’t much of a catch, but surely he hadn’t been wrong in noticing the interest in Katie’s eyes. “I… uh… have some money saved; we could get a little place of our own, and you wouldn’t have to stay with your relations. It wouldn’t be what you’re used to, but you’d have a home again.”

  Katie’s expression softened, and she looked off. “Is that the only reason? So I’d no longer have to mooch off my relatives?”

  When she faced him again, anger smoldered in her gaze. “You don’t have to take care of me forever. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but you’ve done enough.”

  Dusty stood dumbfounded as she walked away. How had he managed to mess things up so thoroughly? She’d completely misunderstood him.

  He jogged past her, blocking the way. His hands rested on her shoulders. Katie stopped and looked up at him. His chest clenched at the tears shimmering in her eyes. One tear escaped, and he wiped it away with his finger.

  “Katie, I think you’ve misunderstood. I want to marry you because I care for you, not because I feel some obligation.”

  She blinked her eyes as if in disbelief. “You care for me? Truly?”

  A slow smile tugged at his lips. “Yes, I do. Truly.”

  Katie swiped her tears with her hand and gazed up at him. “I’ve grown to care for you, too. A lot.”

  A joy unlike any he’d experienced in a long time surged through him. “So is that a yes?”

  “Yes!” Her cry bubb
led up on a laugh, and joy illuminated her countenance. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  Stunned, Dusty stood there, unsure what to do next. He was getting married again. A slow ecstasy flooded through his body. He picked up Katie’s hands and pressed a kiss on her knuckles.

  She tugged a hand free and reached up, caressing his cheek. “I love you, Dusty.”

  He closed his eyes and savored the moment, then hauled her into his arms and kissed her. The warmth of her lips on his was the ultimate reward for all he’d been through. Walking away from a job he loved, leaving his hometown, and recklessly searching for Sloane—all had been worth it for Katie’s kiss and hearing her say she loved him.

  Behind them, someone cleared his throat. They jumped apart, breathless. By the red stain to her cheeks, Dusty could tell Katie was embarrassed, but then she looked past him; and all color drained from her face.

  Dusty turned around, still breathing hard and his body trembling. His emotions skidded to a halt when he saw Mason standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at them.

  twelve

  Katie had done her best to avoid Uncle Mason’s stare ever since arriving home from church. She busied herself in the kitchen, helping her quiet aunt get dinner on the table, then hid out in her room after the meal. Now that Joey had eaten and was sleeping, she sat in her rocker, making a list of things to do for the wedding.

  Disappointment surged through her when she realized neither her aunt nor uncle was pleased with her decision to marry Dusty. How could they not approve when they both liked him so much?

  Surely she wasn’t making another mistake.

  No, she couldn’t be, not when she saw such affection in Dusty’s eyes. He hadn’t come right out and said he loved her, but he said he cared for her. And that kiss… oh, my!

  If he cared as much as his kiss indicated, surely love would soon follow.

  Katie touched her lips. Jarrod had never been much of a kisser. He hadn’t expressed his affections well, though she never doubted his love. And Allan… eww! Just the thought of his urgent kisses gave her the shivers.