by Natalie Dean
She had never before told him that she loved him, and now that she said the words aloud, it felt more real than any love she had ever felt. He twisted his hands so he was holding hers, then he lifted her fingers to his lips.
“I love you, too. And I am not going to let them lay a finger on you. You are my wife, and I am going to protect you!” Will spoke with conviction, but Bess shook her head furiously.
“They murdered my first husband. Left him lying in a horse watering trough, I couldn’t let them do that to you, and I know that if you get involved, it is only going to end in one way,” she twisted her kerchief as she spoke. Will rose from the table and put his hands in his pockets, then walked over to the window.
“You mentioned a sheriff?” he asked, and after another sniffle, Bess nodded.
“Sheriff Muldoon. I don’t know much about him, but he promised me that he was going to ensure justice for my husband. I know he’s got to still be on the case, but I’m afraid I can’t go to him now.” She blew her nose into her kerchief. Will stood for a moment longer, still looking out the window with his hands in his pockets. Bess could hear him breathing heavily, as though he were agitated and infuriated all at the same time. She wasn’t sure if he was angry at her, or at those men and what they had done to her.
“Bess, I want you to listen to me. I want you to stay here – in the house. Don’t go outside for any reason at any time. I am going to figure something out, and I am going to take care of this. But, I can’t do that if I don’t know where you are. If these men are as dangerous as you say they are, there is no telling what they will do, or how far they will go. They’ve already tracked you down this far.” He shook his head.
Though Bess was looking up at him, he never once stopped looking out the window. When she didn’t answer, he turned and looked at her.
“Listen to me, Bess. I need to know that you are going to do as I say. Promise me that you are going to stay in this house, and you won’t set foot outside for any reason. Promise!” Will gave the command instead of asking a question, and though Bess hated doing it, she agreed. She didn’t know if it was a promise she was going to be able to keep, and she didn’t want to tell Will so.
If worse came to worst, she would do anything in her power to protect William. She had brought this trouble down on him, and she wasn’t going to let him pay for the mistakes that her first husband had made. William suddenly turned from the window and walked over to Bess, putting his hands on her arms and lifting her out of the chair.
Bess opened her mouth in surprise, but before she could say anything, he pressed his lips to hers. It was the first kiss the couple had shared, and in spite of all the fear she felt running through her body, she felt comforted, knowing she didn’t have to be alone.
“I’m going to take care of you,” Will said when he pulled away. He then turned on his heel and walked out the door before she had a chance to answer. Bess walked over to the window and looked out, just in time to see Will disappear into the barn.
She felt fresh tears running down her cheeks as she lightly shook her head.
“No, William,” she whispered. “I am going to take care of you.”
The Meeting in the Alley
A week dragged by, and Bess felt as though she was going crazy. Both she and William were on edge, and William spent as little time out of the house as he could. He felt that Bess was safer in the house than she was out of it, but he hated leaving her alone for any length of time. When he simply had no choice but to go to town, he made her promise to stay in the bedroom until his return.
Bess knew it had to be difficult for him, and she hated that she had dragged him into the situation, so she did everything she could to make him happy. But, Bess was also forming a plan of her own, and she knew it was only a matter of time before she was going to carry it out.
When she couldn’t sleep, Bess got up out of bed and lit the lamp on her writing desk. She had fought with her emotions all week, and she knew she couldn’t take it any longer. She had to face those men, and she had to do it before they found her with Will. She didn’t have the money, and there was no way she was going to get it – even if she did, she had gone directly against what she had been told to do, and she doubted the Boss would give her a second chance.
She sat at the desk for a moment, then she sighed and pulled out a piece of paper. She dipped her pen in ink, then allowed it to hover over the top of the sheet for a few seconds, unsure of how to start. At last, she began.
My Dearest William,
You have no idea the joy that you have brought me in being my husband these past few months. I am convinced that these are some of the happiest days of my life, though they were days that I spent in fear. I greatly apologize for dragging you into this situation, I am ever so sorry that I lied to you, and I apologize that I was not completely honest with you about myself from the beginning.
You have been more of a husband to me than I have deserved, and you have given so much to me for so little in return. I pray that you find another wife who is able to offer you the love and companionship you so very much deserve.
It is with a heavy heart that I pen this letter, as I know when you find it you will know that once again I have not been the wife that I should be, and I have broken the promise that I made to you. However, I simply cannot stand by and watch them do to another man what they have done before.
It is my fault that they are here, and I am not going to let you pay for the mistakes that my previous husband and I have made in life.
All my love, all my best wishes, and with everything I have left I want you to know that I will always be yours.
Sincerely,
Bess Miller
Bess had tears in her eyes as she finished the letter, and as she re-read it to ensure she had said all that she wanted to say, many of the tears spilled down and onto the paper. She then quickly got dressed and silently slid out of her room. Will was sleeping soundly on the floor. He hadn’t been sleeping much the past week, and Bess knew it had finally taken a toll on him.
She gently blew him a kiss, then left the paper on the table. Then, as silently as a thief, she slipped outside into the early morning light.
Bess’s heart pounded in her chest. She walked quickly away from the house, disappearing from view as soon as possible. She didn’t want Will to wake and see her before she had a chance to get away, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before the sun was spilling over the horizon, flooding the world with light.
She didn’t have much of a plan, just to face those men as soon as possible. She knew there would be little chance of them showing her mercy, but she no longer cared. She knew she loved Will more than anything, and as long as she got them away from him, she could be happy with her decision.
Then everything would be right.
Bess hurried into town just as the sun was beginning to shine off the windows, and she slipped into a dark alleyway. She knew the men had to still be around somewhere, and they were most definitely searching for her. All she had to do was wait.
Bess sat straight up. She hadn’t realized she had fallen asleep, and now she blinked against the sun. She guessed it to be early in the afternoon. The sound of the train pulling into the station had woken her, and she rubbed her eyelids groggily.
“Good afternoon, Sweetheart,” a sickeningly familiar voice caused her to jump up with a start. Victor French laughed along with his two companions.
“You know, we’ve been looking for you all week, and to think that you were sleeping in some alleyway the whole time. It’s like a gift from God.” The other man walked over to her, and though she took a step back, she kept her jaw set and her shoulders up.
“I know who you are, and I’m going to tell you straight that I don’t have your money, nor am I going to get it for you. You can tell your boss to just forget the whole thing!” Bess spat, and the men laughed once again.
“I see why Jacob liked you, you’re a fiery little thing,” the man said as he r
olled a cigar in his hands, “but, there’s something you should know.”
He bit the end of the cigar and took his time lighting it. Bess raised her eyebrows in arrogant curiosity. The man blew the puff of smoke right in her face, and as she coughed and fanned it away, he leaned toward her.
“I’m the Boss.”
Happily Ever After
Bess took a step back, partly from fear and partly because she didn’t want this horrible man standing so close to her. At first, she was taken by surprise and had no idea what to say, though her hands quickly flew to her hips.
“Well then – Boss. You can hear me tell you plain as day that I am not going to give you a single dime! I don’t know how my husband was mixed up with you, but that was his debt to pay, not mine, and seeing how you killed him, I think you cheated yourself out of the money!” She crossed her arms, and her eyes glared as she spoke, and she could see both men behind him exchange glances. They both looked amazed at her fire, but also amused that she would behave in such a way toward their boss.
Bess only had one thing on her mind. She was convinced she would not ever see Will again, but she silently prayed he wouldn’t find them too soon. The man stood puffing his cigar a few times, clearly amused that she was so defiant. After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath and blew the smoke into the air.
“Do you realize that your husband begged for a second chance? Do you realize he promised me he would get the money before the end of the three weeks? Do you even realize what kind of man you were married to?” a malicious smile spread across his lips and Bess fought back the tears she felt forming in her eyes.
“You are a cruel and despicable human being, and you will face justice for what you did one day, mark my words,” Bess said flatly. The smile faded from the man’s lips, and in a sudden motion, he leapt upon her. Grabbing her by the back of her hair and covering her mouth with his hand, he hissed in her ear.
“I hope you realize you are going to face the same fate as your husband, and if we weren’t in the middle of town, I would shoot you right now!” he looked up toward Victor, then added, “bring the wagon around. We’ll throw some blankets over her in the back and take her a little ways out of town. I think we can finish this discussion there.”
“Hold it right there! Get your hands up and over your head! Drop your weapons! Drop them!” Bess’s heart began to race as she recognized the voice. It was immediately followed by another voice she recognized, and she felt her heart leap into her throat.
“Get your hands off my wife! Now!” All three men turned slowly, but the Boss didn’t let go of Bess. Bess’s eyes widened, and she was shocked to see not only William standing at the end of the alley, but Sheriff Muldoon by his side. There were two other deputies behind them, and all the men had their pistols cocked and ready, and it was clear neither one of them was afraid to use it.
“You three are under arrest!” Sheriff Muldoon reached into his pocket and pulled out a badge, flashed it to the three men, then returned both hands to his weapon.
“I believe I told you to release my wife. If I have to tell you again, I will be telling you with this.” Will waived his pistol in the air, and the Boss gave Bess a hard shove. She nearly lost her footing and fell to the ground, but William caught her in his arms. Sheriff Muldoon motioned to the two deputies behind him, and all three men pulled out iron handcuffs.
“Mr. Hilton, I can’t tell you how much of a pleasure this is,” the sheriff said as he bound the Boss’s hands behind him. The three men were then led out of the alley and escorted directly to the city jail. Bess and Will followed, though they chose to remain outside the jail as the men were being locked up inside.
Bess turned to William with tears in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but he pressed his finger to her lips.
“Shhh, don’t say a word. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now, but it’s over, and I want to just let the past be in the past from now on, okay?” Will looked at Bess earnestly, and with tears in her eyes, she nodded.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. In reply, he pressed his lips against hers, kissing her with more passion than she had ever felt in her whole life. Bess leaned into him and kissed him back, uncaring as to who saw them or what anyone else thought. When she finally pulled back, Bess looked at her husband with inquisitive eyes.
“But – Sheriff Muldoon? How did you? How did he?” She wasn’t sure how to phrase her question. Will laughed and shook his head.
“Don’t you remember? I told you that when I was a boy my father passed away and my mother remarried a man with a son who was close to my age? Remember how I told you that when we were grown I moved to the West, and he moved to New York? We were both pursuing our passions, but you never asked anything about him.” He shook his head at the look of shock and surprise that came over her face.
“You and Sheriff Muldoon are brothers?” she gasped, and he shrugged.
“Stepbrothers at any rate. My mother became Mrs. Muldoon, but his father never formally adopted me, so I stayed a Miller.” He spoke about the topic so nonchalantly Bess couldn’t help but continue to shake her head in disbelief. Suddenly, they were interrupted when the sheriff himself stepped back out of the jail and onto the street.
“Well, Mrs. Brow- er – Mrs. Miller! Seems to me like you and I are now in-laws of sorts!” Sheriff Muldoon laughed, and Bess shook her head.
“I can’t say I can fully believe it,” she said breathlessly, and the sheriff laughed once again.
“What did I tell you? I promised I was going to stay on the case until I found the man responsible for your husband’s death, and I did that very thing. Justice will be brought about, I promise you that.” Sheriff Muldoon smiled, and Bess wrapped her arms around Will.
“Thank you, Sheriff,” she said.
The train whistle blew loudly, and each of the three gang members was escorted into the prison car. Bess was surprised, she didn’t know that they had made cars specially designed for transferring dangerous men, but she had to admit, it did make her feel better. There was no chance of any of those men escaping, and they would be taken back to New York to face the punishment for their crimes.
“Are you sure I don’t need to be there?” Bess asked the Sheriff as he prepared to board the train himself. He held up his hand and shook his head.
“I think you have been through enough. You deserve to have a happy and peaceful life, and now you can have one, without having to look at those monsters again,” he gestured to the men who were in shackles behind him. Bess thanked him and stood back from the train car as each of the doors were slid closed.
She and Will stood on the platform, waving as the train pulled out of the station. William then looked down at his bride and put his arm around her.
“Well, Mrs. Miller, I think that was more than enough excitement for one day. Shall we?” He held out his arm in the direction of home, and Bess nodded.
“Yes, let’s go home!”
THE END
BARBARA: BRIDES ON THE RUN BOOK 2
BOOK DESCRIPTION
BARBARA
Brides on the Run Book 2
A Western Romance Short Story
Barbara Hill is a woman with a love for the theater. She and her husband, Mark Hill, often sit high up on the balcony, in a special box Mark so often reserves for his wife’s enjoyment.
But, when her husband is murdered, Barbara finds herself in the middle of a terrible situation. Desperate and looking for any way out, she chooses to become a mail order bride and head West.
Though she feels secure with her new husband, she doesn’t feel she can trust him with all the details of her past, so she chooses to keep much of her history a secret.
When her dark past follows her into her new life, Barbara is faced with a difficult choice. Will she find the courage to face her fears and tell her husband the truth?
The Man in the Mask
“Bravo! Bravo! Beautiful! Wasn’t that just brilliant?” Bar
bara Hill turned to her husband, Mark, who sat in a seat next to her. The couple was cheering at the end of a scene to one of their favorite plays – one that Barbara knew by heart. She loved going to the theater. There was something so invigorating about being able to sit high above the crowds in the box that Mark always reserved for her – giving her the best view in the entire room.
Of course, they weren’t the only people who were up in the balcony. There were a few other wealthy couples and individuals also in the upper area, each equipped with their own set of opera glasses to better see what was happening down on the stage. Though most of the scenes took place far below them, one of the reasons Barbara loved this play so dearly was because many of the characters ran through the entire theater.
There were daring swordfights, exquisite dialogue, and even a kidnapping. Barbara’s favorite part was when the villain appeared up in the balcony, making a daring jump from the very top and using a rope to descend back down to the stage.
“Your favorite part is coming up next, My Dear,” Mark said in a low voice as he leaned over toward her ear. The Hills knew how important it was to be polite during the show, and both were careful to be very quiet during the scenes. As the applause began to subside Barbara clapped her hands softly together in her seat.
She knew what was about to happen. The speaker would come out and tell them what was happening for the next scene, then all the lights in the theater would go dim. It would be so dark that she wouldn’t be able to see her hand in front of her face, and the entire room would be so quiet that no one would dare breathe.
Then, the band would play loudly down in the corner of the room, the lights would flash on, and there would be the villain standing at the top of the balcony behind them! He would be wearing a white mask and a red cape, concealing his identity from everyone in the room. He would pull his arm up to his face, using his cape to further hide himself from their view. Then, in one swift motion, he would grab the hidden rope and jump over the rail, gliding throughout the room and safely to the stage below.