by Jillian Hart
Chapter Seventeen
“I’ll grab breakfast at the diner,” Cooper said as he buckled on his holster by the back door. “I have a meeting with the mine president and his lead guard.”
Anna set down her measuring cup. Flour poofed up in little white clouds. She hated knowing he was going to face that horrible outlaw. The thought of Cooper hurt...why, it nearly brought her to her knees. “You keep yourself safe.”
“Don’t worry.” The gun belt hugged his lean hips, riding low, the holsters snug against his muscled thighs. “I’m going to outsmart Corinthos. Early this morning, Tucker and I arrested one of the deputies who was on his payroll.”
“One of the deputies?”
He nodded, grim and steely. “That will give us an advantage today. So don’t worry. You keep my girls safe, just like you’re doing.” He grabbed his hat and plopped it on his head with a flourish. There was something soft, like longing shadowing his dark gaze. “Goodbye, Anna.”
“Goodbye.” She wiped her hands on her apron and took a step toward him.
He folded her into his arms, against the iron hardness of his chest. His mouth met hers with a tender ferocity, possessive and gentle all at once. She ached for his touch, for more than this kiss.
He stepped back, breaking their embrace. True regret flickered in his gaze. Then he tipped his hat and strode out the door. Leaving her alone with her fears for him, with the yearning for him deep in her heart.
She went back to mixing pancake batter, thought of the girls upstairs. Thought of all Cooper trusted her with. His children. His home. His honor. He believed in her.
It wasn’t love, but it was enough.
“Mornin’, Sheriff.” Corinthos sat straight in the saddle, hands gripping gleaming revolvers, cocked and ready.
“Not many outlaws ride through town in broad daylight.” Cooper thumbed back the hammers on both of his revolvers. “Unless they’re looking to be arrested.”
“Now you’re dreamin’, Sheriff.” Laughter flickered across those cold, deadly eyes. “I have word you’re planning on moving that gold shipment without telling me.”
“I bet Davidson kept you informed.” Cooper’s rage flared. “He won’t be at my back, or haven’t you noticed?” He didn’t turn, but the line of deputies and armed men behind him, protecting the jail proved his statement. “There will be no one letting you in the back door, or shooting me or my lawmen from behind. Surrender now, Corinthos, while you still have your life.”
“I don’t intend to die today. But I do intend to kill you.”
“Anna. Janet was just in here talking about the reception. Ham sounds like just the thing. I put in a special order for a few extra surprises myself.” Leslie McDonald scurried out from behind the front counter.
“You shouldn’t go to any trouble. Cooper and I will probably want something quiet and simple.”
“Gotta have a pretty dress, Anna,” Katie piped up. “That way Papa will see how beautiful you are and fall in love with you forever.”
“Gotta have a big veil, Anna.” Maisie swept hers out of her eyes.
“And lots of ruffles,” Mandy added.
“See?” Leslie beamed. “It’s unanimous. Come over and see the new silk I’ve ordered in. I was expecting this visit, you know.”
“We wanted to look at your calico selection, too.” Anna glanced at Katie. Katie rolled her eyes. Laughing, she led the littlest girls down the aisle after the cheerful store owner.
Leslie pulled out a chair at a cloth-covered table just as Carol Fykerud and her girls came over from the fabric row, bolts of red flannel in hand. “I heard a certain gentleman was climbing up to your window last night. Did he ever come down?”
Anna blushed. “Carol. He only came to say hello.”
“Sure.” Merriment sparkled in the woman’s voice. “I had the privilege of being protected by your Cooper.”
“I heard about your elk problem.” Anna laughed, grateful for a new topic of conversation. “I heard you lost every last pair of red long johns.”
“And me with four boys to sew for.” Carol laughed.
A clatter and a horse’s squealing whinny erupted on the street outside. With laughter still in the air, Anna spun around and looked past the window display of braided Indian corn. She saw at least two dozen horses crowding the street. Voices rent the air. She couldn’t make out the angry words, but she knew the sound of trouble.
Was it the gold? Was it Corinthos? Through the window she could see the rump of Cooper’s honey-gold horse, white tail twitching in the breeze. She stood and saw the broad back of one wonderful man holding two guns at a group of mounted outlaws.
Cooper! Shivery fear wrapped around her chest. There was going to be a gunfight.
“Girls!” she said, too sharp. “Come with me.”
“Oh, my! Oh, my!” Leslie looked faint.
Anna grabbed both little girls by the hand and headed for the back of the store. She wanted the children out of danger. “Katie. I want you here, too.”
“That’s Papa!” Her voice came from the front of the store.
Leslie cried out, “Oh, my! Those men are trying to rob the bank!”
“Stay,” Anna ordered in no uncertain terms and left the girls behind the molasses barrels. “Katie, get away from the window.”
“Papa!” The bell above the door tinkled as Katie escaped, heading straight toward the dangerous scene.
On a dead run, Anna caught Katie before she could step out onto the boardwalk. The girl fought her, crying, terrified of losing her father. Hurting for her, sharing her fear, Anna wrestled her back into the store.
“Don’t distract him.” She held the girl, tried to console her. “We have to stay out of his way.”
Gunshots popped on the street. She could hear the dull thud of a body hit the earth. The fear gripping her heart tightened. Unable to breathe, Anna ushered Katie to the back of the store.
Cooper was a good sheriff, she told herself above the sound of gunfire. He could take care of a simple bank robbery. But as she knelt down on the floor, holding the girls in a tight huddle, a bullet shattered the front window and ploughed into the wall behind them.
No man, not even Cooper, was invincible.
The outlaw’s eyes flickered, then he fired.
Cooper shot twice. It was fast enough. He felt an arrow of heat spread across his temple. He saw the flash of surprise on Corinthos’ face as the outlaw slid from his saddle and hit the ground, dead.
Cooper looked down. Red sluiced down his face, stained his shirt. He vaguely realized it was his own blood, but the shooting had only just begun. He aimed and fired, downing another outlaw. The horses milled. He struggled to keep his seat, to keep his head clear and his reflexes quick.
He didn’t stop fighting until the dizziness claimed him. Weak as a kitten, he hit the ground. The revolvers slid from his grip.
“Coop!” Tucker’s voice.
He looked up at his brother’s face, eyes dark with fear.
“Did we get them all?” His own blood blurred his vision.
“Every last one.”
“Good. My head is killing me.”
“Is it over?” Katie asked with wide eyes.
Anna poked her head over the tops of the molasses barrels. She could only see a portion of the street, and a crowd of horses and men. At least there were no more gunshots. “I think it’s safe. We’d better get you girls home.”
Leslie popped up to inspect her damaged window. Anna took hold of Katie’s hand before she could dash off, then wiped tears from Mandy’s eyes and kissed Maisie’s worried brow. Hand in hand they headed through the store.
The girls were silent, and Anna had to keep telling herself everything was fine. Cooper was a good sheriff.
“Oh, my!” Leslie gasped, turning pale.
Anna’s gaze flashed to the street, to the scene of injured, maybe dead men lying prone in the dust. Oh, God. Tremors shivered through her and she turned the girls around. T
his wasn’t something children should see.
“Let me take them upstairs for fresh lemonade,” Leslie offered, pale-faced and clearly shaken by the scene outside. She took Maisie’s hand. “I have molasses cookies.”
Anna thanked Leslie for her thoughtful offer and handed over a reluctant Mandy.
“Anna.” Katie bumped against her. “Anna, that ain’t Papa, is it?”
Over the shattered window displays, Anna saw the riderless palomino, and the big, motionless man’s body lying in the dust.
Heart in her throat, Anna could only stare. She saw Cooper’s dark hair, tousled as always, the wide cut of his shoulder, and the shape of one big hand motionless and bloodstained. She started to tremble.
“It is Papa!” Katie lunged.
Anna held the girl tight. Wrenching sobs shook her reed-thin body. Anna felt Leslie’s hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw sympathy in those sad eyes.
“You go see after your man. I’ll keep these girls safe and comforted. You come for them when you can.”
Anna wasn’t aware of letting go of Katie or how she found herself racing across the street. She darted between the curiosity seekers and people offering help. A few deputies kept peace and helped the fallen men. Anna spotted Tucker’s dark hat, and saw him kneeling over his brother. Over her Cooper.
“He’s still alive” Tucker pressed a blood-soaked handkerchief to his brother’s head.
She fell to her knees and brushed a hand along the slope of his hairline. “Cooper.”
“I’m fine. I think.” He tried to sit up and failed.
“You need a doctor. Lie still.” Her fingers came away wet with fresh blood. Panic beat through her. “Tucker, help me.”
“He’ll be fine.” Tucker laid his hand on her shoulder. “Who do you think Katie got her hard head from?”
“Well, the bullet grazed his skull.” The doctor turned from Cooper’s bed, shoulders slumped from fatigue. It had been a long day for him. “He’s going to have quite a headache for a while. But I’m going to let him go home with you.”
Relief lanced through her.
Cooper looked up from his pillow. “I have a harder head than that outlaw thought.”
“Go ahead and be proud of yourself.” She held back the emotions, the love she would never confess to him. “You gave us all a scare for a while.”
Noise echoed in the hallway, sounding like a herd of wild elk.
“Shh! Papa’s sleepin’.”
“Don’t push, Maisie.”
“He’s got an ow.”
Cooper tilted his head just a smidgen. Three girls stood in the threshold, studying him with wide eyes.
“Anna says you ain’t dead, Papa,” Maisie whispered.
“We brought you some soup.” Katie straightened her shoulders. “Mrs. McDonald and I made it.”
“She’s a thoughtful lady.” Anna took the covered bowl from Katie with a smile.
Pain lanced his head. But it wasn’t too bad. Thank heavens for that.
“Someone didn’t believe me when I said you would be all right.” Anna settled down in the chair beside him.
“I wasn’t either scared,” Katie denied.
All of them were. Cooper studied the little girls peering across the blankets at him. His throat ached with the knowledge of all he had, of what he never wanted to lose.
Anna leaned close. She smelled like roses, always roses. Then the scent of hot chicken broth tickled his nose. He was surprised when his mouth watered. He felt like death warmed over and hurt like the devil.
“Just sip,” she instructed.
The spoon touched his lips, a little too hot. Liquid sluiced into his mouth and across his dry tongue. Another spoon of broth nudged against his lips. He noticed the care she took not to spill. He saw the affection in her eyes, unmistakable and as breathtaking as sunset. No one, ever, had looked at him like that
“Me and Mandy helped cook, too,” Maisie spoke up. “But I closed my eyes cuz Mrs. McDonald killed her old hen.”
“With an ax,” Katie added. “I peeked between my fingers.”
“Don’t like chicken no more,” Mandy added.
Silent laughter filled Anna’s eyes and he saw, for the first time, what romantic love could be. Not something based on power and control, or on obligation like a debt to be paid. But a bright, selfless light. A strength far more powerful than any he’d known before.
“I can do it.” He took the spoon from her, capturing her fingers beneath his. “Thank you.”
She smiled, her caring as tangible as her touch. His heart lurched. If only he knew how to love her the same way.
Anna held his boot so he could step into it.
He grabbed the boot from her. “I don’t need help.”
“The doctor said you had to take it easy.” She yanked the boot out of his grip and held it firm.
“Give me my boot.” That lopsided, sexy grin spread across the corners of his mouth, bringing out his twin dimples. “I’m too tough to be pampered.”
“No, you were just shot. Nothing serious.” Anna held his boot. His foot slipped right in. “Now, lean on me when you stand.”
“Yeah, or you’ll fall down, Papa.” Maisie added from the foot of the bed.
He chuckled, easy and light. Dark hair fell across his forehead, and his eyes watched her with a twinkling merriment that made her heart flutter. Made her wish she was already his wife.
She took his elbow in her hand, helping him rise. He felt warm, all muscle, solid beneath her fingers. He leaned on her, just a little until he was on both feet. She breathed in the pleasant soap-and-man scent of him. He was stronger than he looked.
“Don’t forget my hat.” He grabbed his holsters from the stand and buckled them on.
Katie carried it to him, the worry lines still wrinkling her brow. “Here you go, Papa. I thought you was dead.”
“Well, I’m pretty tough to kill.” Understanding glittered in his eyes. He pulled his daughter close and held her.
Anna opened the door and led the way out into the warm kiss of the sun. A healthy breeze kicked up a swirl of dust. Horses clopped by, their steps echoing in the alley.
“Good to see you, Sheriff.” A man on the street, whom Anna didn’t know, lifted his hat as he rode by.
Cooper nodded, tipping his hat.
“Oh, Sheriff.” A door jangled open. Mrs. Barclay hurried out of the bakery. “Thank you for what you did, for saving us from those terrible Corinthos men. Our town is now truly safe.”
A small amount of pleasure sparkled in Cooper’s eyes. “Just doing my job, ma’am.”
Farther down the boardwalk Leslie McDonald rushed out and hugged him. “Oh, look at that bandage. I’m so thankful you weren’t killed.”
“It was just a nick, Leslie,” his low voice rumbled.
“Head wounds bleed like the devil.” She patted his hand. “Because of you and your deputies, we can all live in peace. How can we ever thank you?”
“You already have.”
And so it went, one passerby after another, one shop owner after another thanking him, expressing their gratitude.
Pride for him simmered in her heart. Pride for this man who’d stood so strong for justice, for honor and for all that was right.
“Hello, hero.” A voice called from down the street.
“Tucker!” Three girls raced toward him, clattering down the boardwalk like elephants. Tucker was holding up three sticks of lemon candy.
“Call yourself a hero. You’re the one who stayed in your saddle during the gunfight.” Cooper looked a little pale, but his smile was just as wide as ever.
“I was always the better brother,” Tucker teased as he surrendered his lemon sticks to the three eager little girls. “I’ve got news. Are you too injured to head over to the jail?”
“The doctor said to take it easy,” Anna spoke up.
“Big brother, she’s acting like a wife already. You’re in real trouble.”
Laughing,
Cooper’s fathomless gaze fastened on hers. He made the air impossible to breathe. “Having a wife isn’t going to be so bad.”
“Not so bad?” she challenged.
“Not bad at all.” Cooper’s hand covered hers, drawing her eyes up to his. She saw the truth in those eyes, dark as the night and twice as bold. He wanted her. The same way she wanted him.
“I won’t be long,” he promised. “Probably some paperwork I have to fill out. There’s the matter of the gold shipment.”
“You’re not as tough as you think, Cooper Braddock. So if he faints, Tucker, will you bring him home?”
Both men laughed. She laid her hand in Cooper’s. Her pulse surged when his fingers closed around hers. A perfect fit.
His head hurt, but it wasn’t bad. He’d hurt worse before. Cooper headed down the street with Tucker, leaving Anna and the girls behind.
“Federal marshals rode in less than an hour ago.” Tucker kept his voice low as they headed for the jail.
“For Corinthos’ body? Or to help with the gold?”
“The mine president is grateful to us. Now we can move the gold without threat of that gang. We’re going to try leaving early tomorrow. Think you’ll be ready to ride? I could go in your place. That would give you more time with your Anna. It would be sad to separate you two lovebirds. Of course, it could be for the best. Janet Briggs’ trellis may not survive many more midnight climbs.”
“Stop with the teasing and the advice.” Cooper rubbed his brow, encountered the white swath of the bandage. “I can do fine on my own, little brother.”
“Well, up until now you’ve needed everyone’s help.” Tucker’s eyes laughed, then sobered. “The marshals have come on business. Seems they are tracking a fugitive through this area.”
Cooper pushed open the jailhouse door. “A fugitive?”
Two men stood up in the office. Their badges identified them as U.S. Marshals. The guns at their hips stated they meant business. “Yes, a fugitive, Sheriff. As you know, we’ve had trouble keeping our lawmen honest in this territory. We’re after one of your own. A sheriff from down south.”