Landry's Back in Town (Rocky Ridge Romance Book 1)

by Scott, Margery

  “We’re going to be rich,” Uggie reminded him.

  The lantern light flickered in the blackness. Tobias’s face was set in stone as his gaze shifted from one to the other, then back to Landry. “Okay,” he said. “You win. If you’re so dead set on staying here, I suppose I’ll have to stay and keep an eye on you.”

  “The farm’s still here, Tobias.”

  “It is?”

  Landry nodded. “Remember, you always liked working the farm?”

  “I did.”

  “Don’t listen to him,” Uggie put in. “We got plans. Big plans. And we’ll be rich.”

  He turned to Uggie and Gage. “The kid needs me more than you do, so it looks like you boys are on your own.”

  Landry relaxed his guard and smiled at Tobias, repeating Tobias’s words back to him. “I’m glad you’re finally getting some sense.”

  Those few seconds were seconds too long to take his eyes off Gage. Before his brain even registered what was happening, Gage reached behind him and Landry caught a glint of metal before he felt a sudden jolt that knocked him off balance. It wasn’t until he looked down and saw the dark stain spreading across his shirt that the reality sank in. He’d been shot.

  There was no pain, only a cold chill washing over him as darkness clouded his vision. His legs crumpled, but he didn’t have the strength to stop himself from falling. His head smashed against the wall of the bank, the pain barely registering in his brain. At the same time, he heard more shots.

  Then blackness overcame him.

  Chapter Eleven

  Olivia started at the sudden crack of gunshots filling the air.

  She’d been having supper with Cammie and Priscilla at the café while Zane attended to some business at the sheriff’s office.

  Now, Zane was escorting Olivia home after taking Cammie back to the apartment above the mercantile where she lived with her father.

  As soon as the shots rang out, Zane spun around in the direction of the sound. His hand automatically reached for the Colt at his side. “Stay here,” he ordered a moment before he began running down the street in the direction of the bank.

  Olivia stood stock still for a moment, watching as doors suddenly opened and men filled the street.

  “This way,” a voice called out. Like a swarm of bees, the men hurried off in the direction of the livery stable.

  Olivia’s heart leapt into her throat. The livery.

  Ignoring Zane’s order to stay where she was, she joined the men and raced down the street.

  Deputy Farris appeared at the entrance to the alley beside the bank. His gun was in his hand, but held down by his side.

  The darkness made it impossible to see any activity past the deputy, but obviously something was happening.

  “Homer!” The deputy pointed to a teenage boy. “Go get the doc. And make it fast.”

  “What’s going on?” someone in the crowd called out. “Who got shot?”

  “There’s three of them back there. One of them’s Mitchell.”

  Olivia heard the agonized cry, then realized it was coming from her own throat. Weaving her way through the crowd, she tried to rush past the deputy. He grabbed her elbow before she could get by. “Wait a minute, ma’am,” he said, his grip tight on her arm. “It’s not pretty back there. Not a sight for ladies.”

  Olivia tugged her arm from his grasp. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  Before he had a chance to say more, she hurried into the alley. A faint glow came from behind the bank, giving the alley enough light that she could see where she was going. Still, she needed to be careful where she stepped.

  Her hand flew to her mouth when she saw the bodies lying on the ground behind the bank. Horrified, the blood drained from her face and she felt herself grow faint when she caught sight of Landry on the ground. His eyes were closed, and his skin beneath his tan was pale. Blood soaked the front of his shirt.

  She didn’t know what had happened, and at that moment, she didn’t care. All she could think of was that the man she loved might be … No! She wouldn’t even allow the word to enter her brain.

  “Landry!” She fell to her knees and bent over him, her heart thundering in her chest. As she’d seen it done before, she held her hand to his mouth, letting out a sharp breath of relief when she felt a whisper of air touch her fingers. He was alive!

  “Dear God,” she prayed, taking his hand in hers, her glance never leaving his face. “Please don’t take him from me. I’ve never loved a man until now, and I do love him with all my heart and soul. He may never love me back, but I can accept that if only you’ll let him live.”

  She didn’t know how long she knelt beside him, but she didn’t move until Zane cupped her shoulders. “Doc Leonard’s here, Olivia. Let him work.”

  Numb with fear, Olivia looked up into Zane’s concerned eyes. She nodded and blindly let him help her to her feet and draw her away. Silently, she watched as the doctor examined him.

  When he finally got to his feet, his expression was grave. “You men,” he said, pointing to two men who’d followed Emmett down the alley. “Take him to my office, and be careful with him.”

  Without a word, the two men hurried to where Landry was lying in the dirt and picked him up. Olivia made a move to go with him, but the doctor rested his hand on her arm, stopping her. “I know you want to be with him,” he said, his voice gentle, “but I can’t work with you in the way. I’ll send somebody for you as soon as I know something.”

  She nodded, her mind racing, her body numb as she watched the two men carry Landry away.

  “The other men …” Olivia turned to Zane once Landry, Doc Leonard and the two men were out of sight.

  “Dead,” Zane said. “Tobias Mitchell admitted to shooting them.”

  “But why?”

  I haven’t got the whole story yet, but it looks like it was self defense. One of them shot Landry and Tobias returned fire. Now, I’ll get someone to walk you home so you can get some rest.”

  “That’s all right, Zane,” she replied. “I’m going to stay with Landry until he wakes up.”

  Zane shook his head. “Olivia, I’m sorry. I know you’re fond of him, but the truth is, he likely won’t wake up.”

  Olivia refused to accept that. Raising to her full height, she faced him squarely. “You’re wrong, Zane,” she said, her voice quivering with fear. “He will wake up.”

  ***

  For three days and nights, Olivia sat alongside Landry’s bed in a small room in the doctor’s office. Both Grace and her father had told her they’d done everything they could. Now it was up to him.

  Hour after hour, she held his hand, sending her strength to him, willing him to come back to her. Yet he didn’t move, didn’t open his eyes.

  She’d cried enough tears to fill the river, and her heart had shattered into tiny pieces at the thought he might still die. How would she ever survive it?

  Olivia leaned back in the rocking chair Grace had brought into the room for her. Dusk was stealing the daylight, and she was exhausted. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to leave any longer than it took to eat something and to take care of her personal business. She was sure that somehow, Landry knew she was there. She couldn’t leave him to wake up and be alone.

  Her hand rested on his, as it always did. She closed her eyes for a moment.

  Then she felt it, a slight twitch of a finger.

  Her eyes flew open and she leaned forward. His hand lay still under hers. Had she imagined it? Was it wishful thinking?

  “Landry?” She spoke softly, little more than a whisper. “Can you hear me? Landry? If you can hear me, move your finger again. Please.”

  She moved her hand away from his. Her eyes locked on his hand. Time stood still, every second an agonizing wait. Then, when she was almost ready to accept the sensation had been a figment of her imagination, she saw his finger move.

  Bounding to her feet, she bent over him and brushed her lips over his.

  “Gr
ace! Grace! Come quick!”

  The door burst open and Grace rushed in. “What is it?”

  “He moved, Grace,” Olivia gushed, her heart racing with excitement. “He moved his finger.”

  Grace crossed to Landry’s side and bent over him. She lifted his eyelids, held her fingers on his wrist and studied him for a few moments. He didn’t move.

  Turning to Olivia, she rested her hand on her arm. “I hope you’re right, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up. It might not have been a true movement. Sometimes—”

  “It was,” Olivia interrupted. “I know it. I can feel it deep inside. He’s going to wake up soon.”

  Grace smiled gently. “If he does, it’s because of you.” She moved to the doorway. “Call me if there are any other changes.”

  Olivia nodded. “There will be. I’m sure of it.”

  She had to believe that. She couldn’t bear to consider the alternative.

  ***

  Why couldn’t he just die and get it over with? Pain unlike anything Landry had ever known consumed him, every breath sending jagged shards of agony through his chest. He was cold, too. So cold. Yet something warm was wrapped around his hand.

  Images flashed through his mind – Olivia, Tobias, Daniel, the farm … Over and over, they replayed, memories of fishing in the stream as a boy, of a willow tree near a pond, the glint of a gun, of Olivia’s eyes, filled with … love.

  She loved him. Deep in his soul, he knew that. She’d been willing to accept him, to love him, even though he didn’t deserve her. And he’d turned her away.

  He should have told her he loved her. Should have let her love him. She was willing, and he should have given them both time to be together, to get married, to raise a family, to grow old together.

  Now it was too late. If he didn’t die … and right then dying was the best way he could think of to deal with the pain coursing through his body … he’d be going back to prison.

  Summoning every ounce of strength he could muster, he forced himself to open his eyes. He squinted into the dim light from a small lamp on a table in the corner of the room. The scent of cloves reached his nose, and the soft sound of someone breathing filled the silence.

  Gingerly, he moved his head toward the sound. Through the hammering in his head, he saw Olivia in the rocking chair beside him. She was asleep, her long lashes resting against her pale skin, her lips slightly parted. He looked down and saw her hand on his.

  It was her warmth he’d felt, her voice he’d heard. He tried to smile, but it took too much energy. He slept.

  ***

  Olivia woke to find Landry watching her. She bounded out of the chair, sending it into a wild rocking motion that almost tipped it over. But she didn’t care.

  Landry was awake.

  Her throat tightened and tears filled her eyes. Unheeding, she let them roll down her cheeks and drip off her chin. She moved her hand from his. “I’ll get Grace.”

  Before she could move away, he wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “No. Wait.”

  “What is it?”

  “I need to tell you … I’m sorry.”

  Olivia perched on the edge of the chair. “Sorry for what?”

  “I’ll be going back to prison … I’m sorry …”

  Her heart beating wildly, happiness filled her. She shook her head. “No.” Her eyes filled with tears, but this time, they were tears of joy. “No prison.”

  Landry frowned. “I remember shots … and I thought I heard loud voices … Tobias?”

  “He’s fine. Uggie and Gage are dead. I’m sorry.”

  “Then what—”

  “Tobias explained everything to the sheriff,” she said. “How they’d planned to rob the bank but you came to stop them. When Gage shot you, Uggie went for his gun. Tobias shot them both.”

  Landry tried to sit up, but fell back against the pillow. “Where is he?”

  “He’s waiting for you at the farm.”

  “But—”

  “They might have been planning to rob the bank, but they didn’t. According to the sheriff, a man can’t be arrested when no crime has been committed. He’s free, and so are you.”

  Landry closed his eyes. Olivia was beginning to wonder if he’d fallen back to sleep when he opened them again.

  “Landry, I have to tell you something …”

  His eyes searched he face. “What is it?”

  She brushed the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I thought you were going to die … and I hadn’t told you …”

  His glance searched her face.

  “Whether you like it or not, I love you. It doesn’t matter if you love me back, but I needed to tell you—”

  He smiled then, the first smile she’d seen from him in days. Her heart soared. “That’s good … because I love you too.” He paused, struggling to take in a few breaths before he could go on. “It won’t be easy being married to an ex-convict.”

  Olivia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You do? You love me? And you want to marry me?”

  He nodded. “Folks in town—”

  “Are grateful you and Tobias prevented a robbery.”

  “But—”

  “Let them believe it. There will always be those who think the worst, but the others far outnumber them.” Olivia bent over and kissed him. It was a gentle kiss, but one filled with all the love in her heart. When she drew back, she glanced down into his dark eyes. “But if you want to, we can leave the livery and the farm to Tobias and go somewhere else, somewhere we can build a life together where no one knows you.”

  His eyes darkened. “No. We’ll stay here. I don’t want to spend my life worrying about the truth coming out, and I wouldn’t expect you live that way either. We can either build a house in town—”

  “Did you forget I have a house?” she asked, unable to prevent herself from smiling at the thought of those rooms being filled with the children.

  “I did forget. You’d think Uggie shot me in the head instead of the stomach.”

  Olivia shuddered. “I’m grateful he did.”

  “You’re glad he shot me?” he asked, his voice teasing.

  “Glad he didn’t aim for your head,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t think we’d be having this conversation if he had.”

  “You’re right. Now about your house … we can either live in yours or build another one here in town and I’ll keep the livery, or we can raise our children on the farm. Your choice.”

  Olivia’s tears started flowing again, but they were tears of happiness. “I’ll be happy no matter where we live as long as we’re together. But right now, you have to get better. I’ll ask Grace if she has anything she can give you for your pain.”

  “What pain?” That twinkle in his eye she’d thought she’d never see again was back. “Come here,” he said, taking her hand and drawing her closer until she was almost lying beside him on the bed. “You know what’s the best medicine for anything?”

  She shook her head.

  “This.” Cupping her head, he brought her lips down to his and kissed her until they were both breathless.

  “Oh, my,” she said when he finally released her. His breathing was ragged, and his dark eyes looked at her with so much love and desire her heart filled to overflowing.

  “I’m pretty sure I’m going to need regular doses of that medicine for the rest of my life.”

  “I have a never-ending supply,” she said, “and you look like you need another dose already.”

  “I do,” he said gruffly. “I definitely do.”

  Epilogue

  Guests filled the small church. Almira, the children, her friends … everyone who was important to her was there. Tobias stood at Landry’s side, while many of his old friends sat near the back.

  “I, Landry Mitchell, take you, Olivia Harding as my lawful wedded wife …” Olivia heard nothing but the sound of Landry’s deep voice as he spoke his vow to her.

  Now, almost a month after she�
��d almost lost him forever, she still found it hard to believe he was here, holding her hands, promising to love and honor her for the rest of his life.

  Her heart was overflowing. She had almost everything she’d ever dreamed of – a man who loved her, a home, a community. There was only one thing missing, and she hoped that would be rectified in a few minutes.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The pastor’s voice filled the silence. “You may kiss your bride.”

  Landry gathered her in his arms and kissed her soundly. Heat rushed into Olivia’s cheeks at the depth of his kiss, but the guests seemed to enjoy it almost as much as she did.

  The pastor waited until Landry had released her before he continued. Then, grinning, he turned to the guests gathered to celebrate their marriage. “I have one more duty to perform.”

  A low murmur of voices swept through the church. Olivia and Landry grinned at each other as the pastor stepped forward to join them. All three turned to face the guests. The pastor stood between them, then clasped Olivia’s left hand in one of his and Landry’s right hand in the other. “Daniel,” he said, “can you come forward, please?”

  Daniel looked around the church as if he expected the pastor to be speaking to someone else.

  When nobody rose, he slid out of the pew and walked up the narrow aisle to the front of the church. He gave them a suspicious glance, his small mouth thinned.

  “Daniel,” the preacher said, “Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell would like you to become part of their new family. How would you feel about that?”

  Silence filled the church, and for a few seconds, Olivia wondered if Daniel really understood what they were asking. As realization dawned, his eyes widened and a grin filled his small face. “You mean you’d be my ma and pa?”

  Olivia and Landry nodded in unison. “We’d like to be, if that’s what you’d like, too.”

  “Heck, yeah,” Daniel shouted, then let out a whoop of joy. Then, suddenly remembering where he was, he clapped a hand over his mouth and gave the pastor a guilty look.

  “It’s quite all right,” the pastor said with a smile, “this time.”

  The entire church broke out in applause.