“Your mother? That woman is your mother?” Seeger laughed and reached for Rosalyn.
Before Noah could get to her, Rosalyn twisted away and leaped out of the buggy, landing on her feet. She whirled around, gun steadied in both hands, pointing at Seeger’s head. He had his pointed at Rosalyn’s heart.
“I said you’re under arrest.” She glanced at Noah, her gaze wild. Heart still lodged in his throat, Noah didn’t know who would blink first. So many guns pointed at so many people. Rosalyn was in danger of being killed because he hadn’t wanted to tell her what they were doing. He should have known she would come after him. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’ve got them.”
“Like hell you do. There’s only four of you. I’ve got three more men outside—” Seeger shouted.
“No, I’m afraid not,” Nicky cut in. “They’re taking a siesta under the oak tree.”
God, how he loved his parents.
“Still, I’ve got the drop on the Benedict slut here and Barney there can blow your baby boy’s head off before you can kill him.” Seeger grinned. “You might wear britches, cunt, but I’m bigger and faster.”
“You best be careful what you say about my wife.” Tyler’s deadly words cut across the barn, stopping the laughter cold. He stepped out of the shadows at the back of the barn.
“Let me guess. The father?”
“Yes, that’s my pa.” Noah couldn’t hide the pride in his voice. He’d never truly considered them his parents until that very moment, or perhaps he’d just refused to. He’d spent so much time trying to run away from being a Calhoun, he hadn’t realized he’d been one since the day he went home with them.
Seeger glanced between them, then at Noah with a narrowed gaze.
“You set me up.”
“I did and I had help.” He whistled and Mark and Boyton walked out, guns drawn. “Let me introduce you to U.S. Marshal Mark Jackman, and I think you know Johnny Boyton.”
The look of disbelief on Seeger’s face was worth every second he’d lain in that loft. Damn, they got him!
Noah’s mistake was in forgetting that a cornered animal will gnaw off his own leg to get free. Seeger jumped at Rosalyn, knocking her arm. Her pistol went off, startling the horse. Noah kicked the idiot beside him and ran for Rosalyn.
Grunts and curses filled the air as Noah grappled his way across the barn through the buggy, the horse and the fighting between Seeger’s men, Dickinson and his family. By the time he got to her, Rosalyn had pinned Seeger to the ground with her knees on his shoulders. Seeger’s own pistol was shoved nearly an inch into his mouth.
Rosalyn shook with either rage or fear. Noah was truly afraid she’d kill the man, and shooting an unarmed man was not self-defense.
“Let him up, Rosie. We need to put the bastard in prison.” He approached her slowly, hands out, speaking to her as if they were the only people in the room. “If you go to jail, I can’t marry you and you can’t be my deputy. Come on, sweetheart, give me the gun.”
Her breath came in hitches as tears rolled down her face. Noah reached for the pistol as Seeger’s eyes pleaded with him. The noise in the barn ceased as their futures came down to this one single moment in time.
As his hand closed around hers, Rosalyn finally met his gaze. Her violet eyes were full of hurt, anger and fear. Gone was the wild desperado who had driven a buggy into a barn full of armed men. Noah’s heart ached for what she had done for him. He took the gun from her, then threw it toward the door.
He hugged her tightly, his heart beating a rhythmic tattoo against hers. Sweet hell, he’d almost lost her.
“We’re late again.”
Noah glanced behind him in surprise. His uncles Ray, Trevor, Jack, Brett and Ethan filled the doorway. Each one of his adoptive mother’s brothers, dusty, dirty and obviously trail weary stood side by side, wearing their guns and equally fierce expressions.
“It’s your fault, Ray. You insisted on stopping in Cheyenne for Trevor.” Jack, the blue-eyed, brown-haired imp of the group, stuck his thumb toward Trevor.
Trevor, the handsomest of the lot with his reddish-brown hair and green eyes, snorted. “Thank you kindly, Jack. You made us all late by waiting for little Malcolm.”
“The boy wanted to come along. How could I say no?” Jack shrugged.
“Just like this. No. That’s what I told Mel and Lily,” Ray interjected. The oldest of the Malloy siblings, Ray had green eyes and reddish-brown hair like Trevor, but that’s where the similarity ended. The most serious of the bunch, he was used to barking orders and having them obeyed.
“Ain’t no place for women or children.”
“It appears we’ve missed the fun.” Brett stepped forward and addressed Rosalyn. “Ma’am, I’m Brett Malloy, this fella’s uncle. It’s nice to meet you.” It was amazing how much the middle brother had changed in the ten years Noah had known him. Usually quiet and introspective, Brett’s marriage three years earlier had brought out the joy that had been lurking behind the cornflower blue eyes.
Rosalyn looked at the men like a deer caught in a hunter’s sights.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. These men really are my uncles.” Noah rubbed his hand down her trembling back.
“All of them?” she squeaked.
“Yep, all of them.” Nicky stepped up beside them. “I should say I’m surprised to see you all here, but I’m not.” She shook her head with a grin. “You’re late.”
Ethan, the second oldest and nearly as handsome as Trevor with his blue eyes and wavy brown hair, laughed and clapped Ray on the back. “Told you she’d say that. You owe me a dollar.”
Ray harrumphed. “Not likely.” He pinned Noah with his sharp gaze.
“Are you going to introduce us to the lady?”
Noah let out a breath. “Rosalyn, please meet Raymond, Trevor, Ethan, Brett and Jack Malloy.”
Each man in turn tipped their hat to her as they were introduced. Trevor, ever the charmer, came toward them and kissed the back of Rosalyn’s hand.
“Ah, the fair Rosalyn. A beautiful woman, who apparently takes after my sister.” He eyed the gun belt and the shorn hair with a wide grin. “I like her already, Noah.”
“Everyone, this is Rosalyn Benedict, the woman who now owns my heart.” Noah choked on the last word, overcome by the passions and emotions that had nearly torn him asunder that day.
“Touching,” Seeger said from the floor.
“Shut up.” Tyler kicked him in the leg. “Or I’ll give you another hole in your face to match the one that can’t seem to stay closed.”
Nicky put her arm around Rosalyn. “Boys, this woman single-handedly took down that”—she pointed at Seeger—“dirty son of a bitch, using the skills she had and the gun I gave her.”
Rosalyn blushed, her cheeks a becoming shade of pink. “I did what I had to.”
“You gonna marry her then?” Jack asked. “Because if you don’t, I’m gonna have to have a long talk with you about how stupid you are.”
Everyone chuckled. Noah took Rosalyn’s hand and squeezed.
“Yes, I’m going to marry her. I know a treasure when I see it.” He picked her up and wrapped his arms around her, overcome with joy, peace and love. He’d finally, and truly, found where he belonged.
Chapter Fourteen
Rosalyn still couldn’t believe what had happened. She’d been so afraid that Noah would be hurt, there had been no time to be cautious.
Noah drove the buggy back to town with Rosalyn by his side. His horse tied to the back, they were alone. Tyler, Nicky, Mark and the rest of the huge Malloy uncles rode behind to give them privacy. There was even a boy with them, Malcolm, Jack’s son, a seven-year-old carbon copy of his dad right down to the sweet smile. He’d been minding the horses half a mile away in a pasture. Their prisoners were tied to their saddles, trailing along behind like a parade.
“You scared me, Rosie. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what we were planning.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t want you to be hurt. B
ut after what you just did, sweetheart, I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Proud of her. Rosalyn Benedict.
“I love you, Noah.” She swallowed. “I ain’t never said that before to anybody and I mean it.”
He leaned over and kissed her so hard it made her dizzy with happiness. His lips skimmed over hers in a sweet caress, then he pulled away, his mouth shining with the remnants of their kiss.
“Good, because I love you too. We need to get married as soon as possible.” His brown eyes were sweet enough to swim in.
“Can we do it today?” The sooner the better. She wanted to spend every night in his arms. Her fondest wish was to wake up in them every dang morning. Just the thought made her body tingle.
Noah laughed. “I think my family would never forgive me if we did that. I expect my grandparents at least stayed home so you’ll need to meet them too. Let’s try to do it in a couple of weeks, okay?”
Rosalyn didn’t want to wait, but she said yes anyway. Truth was, she was afraid to let him out of her sight for more than an hour. What they had was so precious, so amazing, she knew she’d never find it again in her life. However she had to trust him and know that no matter how long it took, they would be together.
They rode the rest of the way in comfortable silence with Rosalyn’s arm tucked into his and the spring breeze on their faces. Everything was just about perfect for a girl who had been living on slops a month earlier. Yep, life had given her a gift and she intended to hold on with both hands.
When they got back to the restaurant, Elsa and Marina ran out the door with grins on their faces.
“I knew it! You did it, didn’t you? Those bastards are either dead or on their way with the marshal, right?” Elsa danced around in a circle waving her dishcloth.
Marina just grinned. “Thank God. I’m so glad you’re all okay.”
Noah set the brake and jumped down from the buggy. “Thank you.” He gave each woman a quick hug. “Without you two, I wouldn’t even be sheriff of this town.”
Marina kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you are. A girl can’t have too many good friends.” She touched Rosalyn’s hand. “You take care of yourself and him.”
Rosalyn nodded, grateful to count the saloon owner as her friend. Elsa’s curls bounced in the breeze as she hopped around. “I think we need to celebrate tonight.” She caught sight of the group behind them.
“Seems like your posse grew in size. Who are those men?”
Marina’s eyes widened. “By the look of them, a small army.”
Nicky laughed. “Those are my brothers and my nephew.” She dismounted and gestured for them to come forward.
As she made the introductions, Noah held up his arms for Rosalyn and she leaned into his hands. Closing her eyes, she felt the world right itself around her. Things would be good from here on out.
“Well I’m right pleased to meet Nicky’s family. Now I see how she got to be so tough.” Elsa nodded. “Looks like dinner is going to be a celebration.”
Noah whooped and spun Rosalyn around in a circle. “Damn right!” Jack did the same to Elsa, who screeched in delight. When Mark grabbed Marina, somehow they ended up tangled in each other’s arms. Noah was surprised to see Marina looking flustered in the big blond’s arms. Perhaps bringing Mark here would have other benefits he’d never considered.
Mark stepped back and cleared his throat. Elsa winked at Noah and he hid a grin behind his hand.
“I, uh, need to secure the prisoners. Is it okay if I tie them up in your barn until after dinner?” Mark asked Elsa.
“A’course. Make sure to use the dirtiest stall you can find. They need to wallow in the shit they’ve been throwing at us.”
Everyone laughed as Elsa cackled at her own wit. As they walked into the restaurant, Rosalyn was pleased to see Marina smile at Mark. She expected the other woman hadn’t met many good men in her life, and he was a good one. Just like hers.
Life in Chancetown would hopefully become better for everyone. Rosalyn had a feeling that folks who had hidden behind their door, turning away from the ugliness caused by Dickinson and Seeger, would come out into the light. The only thing the town was missing was a leader. One person came to mind right away—apparently Noah had the same idea.
“You know, Miss Elsa, this town needs a new mayor.” Noah raised one eyebrow. “I know someone who would be good at it.”
“Who? Me?” Elsa stopped in her tracks and frowned. “Whoever heard of a woman mayor?”
“Women can vote in Wyoming, you know. I’m betting every woman in this town would put you in office.” Noah took Rosalyn’s arm as they walked into the restaurant.
“I think it’s a great idea.” Nicky nodded. “Elsa, if I lived here you’d have my vote in a second.”
Elsa frowned harder. “Folks ain’t gonna vote for a woman. Whoever heard of a woman mayor?”
“My wife is a doctor,” Brett offered. “There is nothing you can’t do if you want it.”
“A doctor, really?” Rosalyn had never imagined there was a woman doctor out there. There was a lot she didn’t know about the world. The idea was enough to make her jumpy stomach flutter that much harder.
“Yes, really.” Noah kissed her temple. “Elsa, please think about it. You are the best person for the job.”
“I ain’t saying yes, but I ain’t saying no.” She harrumphed. “Dang new sheriff’s changing everything.”
Noah laughed. “For the good I hope. Let’s go inside and celebrate.”
“Darn tooting. Let’s go eat.” Elsa opened the door and they all filed in. Rosalyn walked arm in arm into the restaurant with Noah, her face aching from smiling so much. It was a feeling she expected she’d need to get used to.
———
That evening, Noah sat on the back step of the restaurant with his father. The night creatures sang their haunting melodies around them as the peacefulness surrounded them. His father smoked a cigarillo while Noah sipped a mug of coffee. Mark had taken the prisoners to the next town over, Elvira, which had a jail. The rest of the Malloys were in the kitchen enjoying Elsa’s coffee and pie. Noah didn’t remember the last time he’d felt so content.
“That Rosalyn is a good woman. Reminds me a bit of your ma.” Tyler chuckled. “Especially the bit where she waved that pistol around at Seeger’s head.”
“Took a year off my life when that happened,” Noah confessed. He’d been scared before, but never that scared. Any one of those men could have shot her dead before she could take cover. It was an experience he never wanted to repeat.
He knew being married to Rosalyn would be an adventure in itself, and he could never protect her against everything. Now he just had to keep her away from his gun-toting mother for a while. Thank God none of his aunts had come to Chancetown or he’d have trouble getting any time with her.
Noah grinned. “It would help if Ma would stop teaching her how to shoot.”
“That’s not going to happen. She’s too stubborn.” Tyler took a drag from the cigarillo, the glow from the orange tip illuminating his face.
Noah’s heart raced as he built up the courage to say what he needed to. “I-I’m sorry about what happened with Hercules. I never felt so stupid in my life as I did when I realized I hadn’t latched that damn gate. There isn’t any excuse, especially when it involved my boot and a rock that was digging into my foot.”
“No need to apologize again, Noah. You did enough apologizing over the last three years to last a lifetime.” Tyler ground out the cigarillo on the ground. “We all have regrets. It’s what we learn from our mistakes that helps us move on.”
“I’ve had plenty of time to think about regrets.” Noah glanced up at the night sky. “It took me this long to learn to live with them. Rosalyn was the key to letting them go.”
“I know what you mean.” Tyler nodded. “Your ma was my key, after she nearly whooped my ass on the way from Oklahoma to Wyoming.” He chuckled and rubbed his chin. “I don’t know what I’d do wit
hout her.”
Noah felt the same way about Rosalyn. It was as if he was starting his life for the third time. A third chance to make the right choices and live life the way he was meant to, full of love and hope.
His father cleared his throat. “Something I’ve been meaning to say to you and I told myself I would the next time we met up.”
Noah had no idea what Tyler wanted to say, but the seriousness in his voice was an indication that made him sit up straighter.
“When we took you in, you kinda kept to yourself a bit. Took a long while before you called me pa.” Tyler looked at him, his blue eyes full of pride. “I just wanted to say that even if you weren’t born a Calhoun, you are a Calhoun. What you just did should prove that to you. I’m mighty proud of you.”
Noah’s throat closed up as all the bitter emotions from childhood rushed through him. He swallowed, dislodging the ancient pain, banishing the ghosts that resided within him. There wasn’t room in his life for it anymore. He had everything a man could want and more.
“Thanks, Pa. I’m proud to be a Calhoun.” He turned and pulled his father into a hug, breathing in his earthy scent and thanking God for finding Noah a family.
———
Noah crept into Rosalyn’s room, reminiscent of the night before, but this time with a whole heart and a smile. During supper, they’d agreed on two weeks until the wedding, but inside he craved her touch. Their guests probably all knew the bride and groom wouldn’t wait until the wedding night. They obviously weren’t even thinking of a wedding when they first touched.
Now, it was even better. Everything he ever wanted was his. His wandering had led him to a place in his life he hadn’t expected to reach. As he stepped into the room, Rosalyn stood by the window waiting for him wearing nothing but a smile.
His heart kicked like a mule and he shut the door as quickly and as quietly as he could. She was beautiful, a goddess come to life. Her violet eyes seemed almost as silver as the moonlight reflected in their dark depths.
“You snatch my breath away,” Noah murmured.
She glanced down at her breasts, the nipples standing proudly at attention. “I never thought I had much to make any man sit up and take notice, but you make me feel beautiful.”
The Legacy Page 18