“Lies!” the senator cried. “I’m a United States Senator. There are always young women accusing powerful men like myself of such things.”
“As I said, this is currently an allegation. However, we have letters written to your nephew,” Jedidiah stated, his voice calm though his eyes blazed. “Letters written in your own hand in which you threaten your nephew with bodily harm when he tries to blackmail you. We have a witness who was there the night of the murder, who saw Wayne stab Brick—after Miss Calhoun had left for the evening. A witness who overheard Wayne admit to another man at the scene that the killing was done on your orders.”
“A witness? Produce this witness!”
“In due time,” Jedidiah said. “In the meantime, Senator, you are under arrest.”
“Are you sure of your facts?” MacElroy asked. “Those are serious charges, Marshal.”
“Very sure. Sheriff, perhaps you can take the senator into custody and hold him for a while?”
MacElroy hesitated. “I don’t know, Marshal. Suppose this is just some trick you’ve cooked up because the senator wants you fired?”
“What if I’m right?” Jedidiah asked softly. “What if the senator here is responsible for both the murder of Brick Caldwell and the attempted murder of Susannah Calhoun? These charges have to be investigated, Sheriff.”
Sheriff MacElroy thought the matter over, then gave a short nod and approached the senator. “Sir, why don’t we all sit down and talk this thing out?”
“Get away from me!” the senator cried, backing away. “Marshal Brown, this has all been very amusing, but I am due at a dinner party in Denver this evening.”
“You’ll have to send your regrets.”
MacElroy reached for the senator again, but he twisted away. When he turned back, he had a tiny derringer in his hand.
“I’m not going to prison,” Senator Caldwell declared, his voice tight with fear. He pointed the gun at first one man, then the other, forcing him to back away. Then he aimed it at Jedidiah. “You’re not going to do this to me, Brown!”
“Senator, you can’t get out of here,” Jedidiah said, his tone even and reasonable. “That little gun only holds one bullet, and there’s two of us.”
Caldwell’s eyes darted around the room as if seeking escape.
“Give it up, Senator,” the sheriff said. “If the charges are false, you’ll be released immediately. We just need some time to get this all settled.”
“Of course they’re false!” Caldwell shouted. “That girl is lying about the baby, and Marshal Brown has no witness. He’s only doing this to get back at me!”
“You’re wrong.” Jedidiah took a step toward him, then halted as the derringer came up to point at his heart. “Wayne saw a woman running away from Brick’s house that night, Senator. Wayne thought it was Susannah, especially when Brick’s neighbor corroborated that story. But it was a different woman who had witnessed the murder. Your nephew here has been trying to kill the wrong woman all this time.”
“What!” Wayne shouted, coming to his feet in his cell. “You’re lying! There wasn’t any other woman there that night!”
“There was—and she saw and heard everything.”
“You can’t prove any of this,” the senator sneered. “No one will believe your insane accusations, especially when I go to your superiors and tell them about your improper conduct.”
“Well, how about the fact that you’re holding a gun on an officer of the law?” Jedidiah pointed out.
“This is merely a defense,” Caldwell replied with a casual smile. “I simply wanted to get your attention.”
“You have it,” Jedidiah said. “Give me the gun, Senator. You’re just making everything more difficult on yourself.”
“I can’t be accused of murder,” the senator replied. “I can’t, don’t you understand? I’m a United States Senator! My career will be ruined!”
“Give me the gun, Senator Caldwell.”
The senator laughed a little hysterically. “I’m sorry, Marshal, but I can’t do that.”
Jedidiah knew what he was going to do. He saw it in Caldwell’s slightly mad eyes. He leaped forward as Senator Caldwell turned the derringer on himself.
Susannah screamed.
The gun fired, and a howl of pain split the air. Jedidiah sprawled on the floor atop the senator, his wounded arm aching like the dickens. The gun slipped from the older man’s fingers.
“Why?” Senator Caldwell asked in a defeated tone.
“Suicide’s not the answer,” Jedidiah replied.
“It is for me,” the older man answered quietly. “My career is ruined. I have nothing now.”
Jedidiah slowly got up, favoring his throbbing arm. MacElroy rushed forward, but Jedidiah held up a hand.
“He’s fine,” he said, rubbing his arm. “I think you should go check on Wayne, though. He’s the one who caught the bullet.”
MacElroy turned, and sure enough, Wayne lay curled on the floor of his cell, holding both hands against his bleeding leg.
“Crazy bastard shot me!” Wayne howled.
MacElroy glanced at Jedidiah. “Your lady’s got the keys to both cells.”
Jedidiah cuffed the senator, then helped the older man to his feet and handed him over to MacElroy. Going over to Susannah’s cell, he held out his hand for the keys.
Susannah gave him one of her flirtatious grins, then fetched a set of keys and dropped them in his outstretched palm. As he went to unlock Wayne’s cell, Susannah used the other ring of keys to let herself out.
Sheriff MacElroy deposited the senator in an empty cell, then he and Jedidiah helped Wayne onto the cot in his own cell.
“He needs the doc,” MacElroy said.
“I’ll fetch him,” Jedidiah replied. “I’m heading over there anyway.”
Susannah came up to him and threw herself into his embrace.
“Ouch! Watch the arm, sweetheart.” Jedidiah curled his good arm around her. “Sheriff, given the new evidence, I take it Miss Calhoun is free to return to my custody?”
MacElroy looked up from his examination of Wayne’s wound, concern etching his features. “There’s still that little matter of improper behavior, Marshal.”
Jedidiah grinned. “What if I told you that I had asked Miss Calhoun to be my wife, and that she’s accepted.”
A slow grin stretched across the sheriff’s face. “I’d say that ought to settle things nicely.”
Jedidiah tightened his arm around Susannah’s waist. “Since it seems as if you have things under control here, Sheriff, we’re going to head out now. We have an appointment in Denver.”
“Good luck.”
As they left the jailhouse, Jedidiah released Susannah to scoop up the bundle of letters that had fallen on the floor during the scuffle. They emerged out onto the street, and Susannah stared up at the bright sun and blue sky with a smile of appreciation stretching across her face.
“It’s over,” she said with a huge sigh of relief.
“It’s over,” Jedidiah agreed. “But we still have to go to Denver and produce the evidence that’s going to clear your name.”
She stretched out a hand to him. “I’ll go anywhere with you, Jedidiah Brown.”
He took her hand. “Even to the altar?”
“Especially to the altar.” Tears welled in her eyes, and she swiped at them before they could fall. “I’m just so glad it’s over. I was so scared! And now we’re talking about getting married.”
“I love you, Susannah. And as soon as I can get you in front of a preacher, I’m going to make you my wife.”
“But first we have to go to Denver.” She sighed with disappointment.
“At least we know now what will happen there.” He took both her hands in his, then raised them to his lips. “Susannah, I’ve never been a man for making promises, but I know now that there’s no way I can face the future without you by my side.”
“I can finally promise you forever,” she whispered. “It see
ms like a miracle. Last night I had no future, and today I have everything.”
They shared a sweet pledge of a kiss.
“I want to get married at home in Burr,” Susannah said, smiling mistily at him. “My mother will make the dress. And I want my sister to be my attendant.”
“Whatever you want.” He grinned. “But first we have to go to Denver.”
“I hope it doesn’t take long,” she grumbled.
“It shouldn’t,” Jedidiah said. “Nate’s over at the doc’s with Mrs. Hawkins. She’s been feeling poorly, but he’ll get her to Denver as soon as she’s able to travel.”
“I can’t believe everything you’ve done,” she said in amazement. “You risked your job for me. You found Mrs. Hawkins and her evidence. You’ve saved my life, Jedidiah.”
“You saved mine, too—just by being there.”
Susannah sighed. “I can’t believe it’s finally over.”
He took her hand in his and squeezed it. “No, sweetheart—it’s just beginning.”
Hand in hand, they walked toward the livery stable. And forever.
Epilogue
Three Weeks Later
Burr, Wyoming Territory
Someone was watching her.
Susannah peered over her dance partner’s shoulder at the figure standing in the shadow of the huge crabapple tree. He stood unmoving near the white picket fence that encircled the yard, isolated from the revelry around him. She had sensed his eyes on her all through the wedding reception, and no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t overlook the urgent response of her body to his intent regard.
“You look beautiful tonight,” her partner said.
“Thank you.” She barely heard him. Her entire being was focused on the still shadow of the man beneath the crabapple tree.
“You’ve always been beautiful,” the man she danced with continued, “but tonight you’re radiant. Love does that to a woman.”
“Thank you,” Susannah said again.
“Susannah, you’re not listening to a word I’ve said,” her brother-in-law, Jack Donovan, said with an indulgent smile. “You know, if you wanted to slip away for a while, I could make excuses for you.”
She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Jack. I knew I always liked you.”
Lifting her layers of snowy white skirts, she darted away, her attention fixed on the man who waited her beneath the crabapple tree.
She slowed as she reached him, shaking out her skirts and brushing her lacy veil back over her shoulders. Casually, as if she had all day, she came to stand before him. “Good evening, Marshal Brown,” she said with a soft smile. “Or should I say ‘Sheriff Brown’?”
“‘Husband’ will do well enough, Mrs. Brown.” He took the hand she extended and raised it to his lips. His touch, as always, sent her pulse skipping. Then he turned her hand over and boldly licked her palm.
“Jedidiah!” The blush that crept into her cheeks stemmed from arousal, not maidenly modestly, and he knew it, the odious man.
He tugged her closer until her thighs grazed his. His mustache brushed her ear in a most erotic manner as he leaned down to whisper, “What do you say we go on up to the house?”
“We can’t leave yet,” she protested half-heartedly, pressing her hands against his chest as if to push him away. But she found herself caressing the broad expanse instead.
He chuckled, and she felt the vibration against her palms. “Sure we can,” he replied, encircling her with his arms. “We’re the bride and groom. No one will think twice about it.”
“Oh, yes, they will,” she retorted. “They’ll all know exactly why we slipped away.”
“Of course they will.” He pressed a tender kiss to her lips, then leaned his forehead against hers, looking deep into her eyes. “But your mama is busy bragging to her friends about this beautiful weeding dress she made you, and Donovan is over there with Sarah, showing off their new baby girl. With everyone making a fuss over little Cassie, this is the perfect time to sneak off and catch a few moments alone.”
“Just a few moments?” she teased. “Is that all?” She gave him her best flirtatious pout, the one that made grown men beg. “The people of Burr will be most disappointed in their new sheriff, Jedidiah...as will your new bride.”
He gave a bark of laughter at her audacious response. She covered his mouth with her hand and glanced around. “Will you hush? We’ll never get away if you make so much noise!”
He tugged her hand away from his lips, kissing her fingers as he did so. “Sweetheart,” he murmured. “I promised you forever, and that’s what you’re going to get.”
No one had even glanced at them. She slanted a look at her new husband. “When does that promise start?”
“Right now.” He gave her a kiss that made her head again, then took her hand while she was still reeling. “Let’s go, Mrs. Brown. We have a lifetime of loving to begin.”
She touched his cheek, her heart aglow from the tender emotion in his sherry-colored eyes. “We already have.”
About the Author
Debra Mullins is the award-winning author of historical and paranormal romances. When not writing, she is reading or traveling or working on her family tree—sometimes all at the same time. Born and raised in the New York/New Jersey area, she now lives in California with her family, where she doesn’t miss snowstorms in the least and optimistically continues her search for real pizza. Visit her at:
Website: www.debramullins.com
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @debramullins
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Mullins/161717291054
Look for these titles by Debra Mullins
Now Available:
Once a Mistress
Donovan’s Bed
Her love will capture the ultimate treasure–his heart.
Once a Mistress
© 2011 Debra Mullins
Diana Covington is a dutiful daughter with a boring future all mapped out for her. A shipping fortune and lush Jamaican estate that will someday be hers, a husband of her father’s choice. Romance and Caribbean adventure exist only in her dreams, in which the Black Spaniard, El Moreno, plays a starring role.
Until she is kidnapped by the evil pirate, Marcus, and her girlish fantasies quickly turn to nightmares.
Alex Rawnsley’s dark Spanish looks makes him the perfect choice to take on the identity of El Moreno. His mission is to bring Marcus to justice, but his heart thirsts for blood. Vengeance for his brother’s murder is within his grasp when Diana’s kidnapping throws a hitch in his strategy.
Snatching her from Marcus’s clutches is easy enough, but what to do with her now? He cannot return her home lest she be taken again. He has no choice but to keep the distracting, innocent beauty aboard his ship. In his cabin. In his bed. The temptation to make her his own grows stronger by the hour…but opening his heart to love may forever close the door on his quest for revenge.
Warning: Contains sweeping, high-seas adventure, a feisty heroine who doesn’t let maidenly innocence stop her from unbuckling the hero’s swash, and a hero who finds himself walking the plank of love.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Once a Mistress:
“I need your help.”
“Do you?” She bent to examine a piece of torn lace hanging from the hem of her gown.
“I must get into the ballroom.”
She glanced up at him sharply. “Why?”
He hesitated. “I would rather not say. I thought that since I helped you out of a difficult situation—”
“You bounder!” She straightened so fast he expected to hear her spine snap. “You used me!”
A disavowal hovered on his lips, but she continued before he could express it.
“I thought you were being chivalrous…” She pressed her lips together, as if she had betrayed a confidence. “Is that the only reason you aided me? To make me so grateful that I would help you get into the house?”
&nb
sp; “Of course not…”
“And what do you intend to do once you have gained entrance to my home? Steal the silver?”
“Bloody hell,” he muttered, exasperated.
“I will bid you good evening, sir. And I will be sure to alert the servants that there is a trespasser on the grounds!” She spun away from him in a swath of upswept skirts and bouncing curls.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop. His own temper simmered as he recalled how he had risked discovery to help her. His very life hung in the balance.
“You ungrateful wench,” he growled. “I just saved you from losing your virtue to that strutting popinjay, and this is how you thank me? What would you do if I had saved you from drowning, toss me overboard?”
“Do not be ridiculous.” She tugged at her arm. Unable to break his grip, she sent him a look of cold fury. “I would tie the anchor to your feet first.”
He narrowed his eyes. “That mouth of yours will get you into trouble.”
“Not as much trouble as you will have when I scream.”
As she opened her mouth to carry out her threat, Alex pulled her close and stopped the cry with a kiss.
The taste of her exploded through him, as exhilarating as standing barefoot on deck while a storm rocked his ship. He rediscovered the thrill of pitting his wits and his will against an impressive force of nature as he held this spirited young woman in his arms. With such a woman a man could be tempted to forsake even that most demanding of mistresses, the sea.
The idea so unsettled him that he jerked away from Diana as if she were the devil’s own daughter. She stared at him with eyes the color of storm clouds. A flush graced her cheeks, and her lips, moist from his kiss, parted.
He wanted her, but he could not have her. He retreated behind the rakish facade that had always served him well.
“Now that was surely a proper show of gratitude, my sweet,” he quipped. “But despite your lusty eagerness I must take my leave. Mayhap we will meet again.” He ignored the shock that swept across her features and sketched a mocking bow. It was better for both of them if he disappeared from her life. Turning away from her, he melted into the night.
The Lawman's Surrender: The Calhoun Sisters, Book 2 Page 23