“Is that Oliver?” Dugan asked, never taking his eye off Hugh as the man curled into a ball, trying to protect his face from the raccoon.
“I thought perhaps it might be,” Delilah said, her tone slightly dazed.
Dugan glanced back at her. “Call to him and see if he comes to you.”
Delilah stepped beside Dugan and handed him the gun she still held. “Ollie, come here, sweetheart. Be a good boy and come over here.” She bent forward and held out her hands, as she would to a toddling child.
The raccoon ceased his attack and looked her way. Fangs remained bared, but he didn’t seem quite as furious.
“Come on, Oliver. Come over here with me and Dugan.” Delilah patted her hands on her thighs and smiled.
The raccoon gave himself a shake, snarled one more time at Hugh, then scurried over to Delilah. He chattered excitedly, as though he wanted to tell her all about his adventures as she picked him up and cuddled him.
When Oliver nestled up against her, Dugan could have sworn the little devil grinned at him. While Hugh was still writhing on the ground, Dugan slapped handcuffs on him then returned to Delilah’s side.
“This isn’t the time or place, but I love you Delilah Robbins. If anything had happened to you today, they’d have to dig two graves instead of one because I can’t live without you.” He slipped one hand around her waist and took Oliver with the other. Dugan tugged Delilah against him and crushed his mouth to hers, releasing all the pent up longing and love, anxiety and dreams that had plagued him since the day he’d first seen her sitting on the porch at the cottage in a rickety chair.
Her arms slid up his shoulders and around his neck, drawing nearer as he continued to kiss her with enough passion to set the desert ablaze from there to the Jordan Ranch. Lightning exploded across the darkening sky behind them and Dugan felt like every nerve ending in his body had been fired with energy.
He had no idea how long they might have continued, but Oliver interrupted them. The raccoon made a disgruntled noise and swatted at the chain across Dugan’s vest that kept the little bandit from stealing his watch.
Delilah pulled back and smiled at Oliver. “Now that you’ve learned how to serve as an attack animal, I think we should train you to not steal things, Ollie.” She pressed one more quick kiss to Dugan’s lips then took the raccoon.
Dugan reached down and hauled his uncle to his feet. Despite Hugh’s faltering steps, Dugan kept him moving forward. They’d just made it out to the road when Tully, Seth, and the posse hustled toward them.
“Well, I’ll be a hornswoggled galoot!” Tully grinned as he swung off his horse before it came to a full stop and swatted Dugan on the back. “I thought I told you to go home and rest. Instead you went and caught ol’ Hugh by yourself.”
“His real name is Bill Durfey, or so he claims.” Dugan tipped his head toward Delilah. “Actually, Oliver was the one who captured him.”
Incredulous, the sheriff’s gaze went from Delilah and the raccoon back to Dugan. “How about you tell me the whole story on the way to the jail?”
The outlaw pushed against the iron grip Dugan had on his arm. “Quit yer jawin’ and take me to the doctor. If that beast has rabies, I don’t want to die foamin’ at the mouth.”
“Oliver is not…” Delilah started to speak, but snapped her mouth shut when Dugan gave her a sly look then winked at her and Tully where his uncle couldn’t see. She gave him an almost imperceptible nod. “Oliver is not immune to rabies. It’s quite a concerning issue. With the way he attacked you, I can only assume he’s quite possibly contracted the disease.”
Hugh’s eyes widened, but then he glared at Delilah. “Why are ya holdin’ him, you daft girl?”
“He knows me. From what I’ve observed, the disease must be in the advanced stages before they turn on their caregivers.”
“It really doesn’t matter, Hugh, because I’ve half a mind to leave you staked to a tree and let the cougars and bears at you if the lightning doesn’t strike us all first.” Dugan moved closer to Delilah as another streak of light pierced the sky and thunder cracked overhead.
“Land o’Goshen, let’s ride like the dickens and get back to town before we’re all fried as black and crispy as my wife’s bacon,” Tully said, making Seth and Dugan grin.
Seth took charge of Hugh and tied him to the back of his horse.
Dugan swung onto Button then pulled Delilah up to sit across his lap. She gave him a reproving look, but snuggled right up to him with Oliver in her arms.
“This is highly improper, Deputy Durfey.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, grinning at her and planting a kiss on her upturned nose.
“I suppose the only thing to do is make an honest woman of me.”
Dugan tugged Button to a stop, heedless to the storm raging around them or the men laughing and whistling as he took her face in his hands and kissed her again. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying, Dilly?”
She grinned up at him. “You’ll figure it out by the time we get to town.”
“It won’t take me nearly that long, darlin’. I had a fancy dinner in your garden with moonlight and maybe some candles glowing in mind to ask this question, but will you marry me, Delilah Robbins. I love you so much and would do anything to prove it to you.”
“You don’t have to prove anything, Dugan. I know you love me, almost as much as I love you.” She wrapped the arm not holding the raccoon tightly around Dugan’s waist and gave him a squeeze. “I accept your proposal, although that dinner in the garden does sound lovely.”
“Give me a day or two to recover from all this falderol and I’ll make it happen.”
“I’m holding you to that,” she said, kissing his cheek, then resting her head against his chest as he hurried to catch up to the rest of the men.
As they rode back to Baker City, Delilah relayed everything Hugh had said up to the moment Dugan arrived on the scene. Dugan wrapped his duster around her and Oliver when it started to rain.
“Where did you bury Eugene Sutler?” Tully asked, grabbing Hugh by the hair and holding up his head as they continued to ride to town.
“Ya ain’t never gonna find that body.”
Hugh attempted to spit at Tully, but Seth reached back and pinched the spot on his neck Oliver had bitten, making the man howl with pain.
Tully offered the outlaw a menacing smile. “Let’s try again. Where did you bury Sutler?”
“I didn’t bury him. Just left him in an abandoned mine about three miles from ol’ Clive Fisher’s place.”
“Did Elmer Muldoon belong to your gang?” Dugan asked
Hugh jeered at him. “Can’t rightly recollect.”
Tully looked over at Delilah. “Think I could borrow your vicious pet for a few minutes, Miss Robbins?”
Hugh shot Tully a wary glance then sighed. “Fine, I’ll talk. Elmer was only a step smarter than dirt half the time. He was drunk one night after we robbed a place in Idaho and got hisself bit by a coon. By the time we got to Baker City, the dunce was clear outta his mind.”
“It was a nasty way to die, Hugh,” Seth said, shaking his head. “Too bad you’re gonna suffer the same fate. Do you think we should leave him in the same cell poor old Elmer was in when he passed on to glory?”
Hugh appeared panic-stricken as he looked from the sheriff to the deputy. “Ya wouldn’t dare do that, Deputy. Yer bound by the law to provide medical care for me.”
“Oh, we’ll make sure you receive everything you deserve, Hugh.” Tully laughed and released his hold on the man then rode ahead.
Dugan broke apart from the group when they reached town and took Delilah home. He helped her off Button then swung off the horse as the rain began falling harder. Together, they raced inside the gate to the yard and onto the back porch. Delilah set Oliver in his chair then turned and wrapped both arms around Dugan, hugging him tightly.
“Thank you for coming to my rescue.”
He grinned and held her close, bre
athing in her fragrance, basking in her love. “I’m not so sure Oliver didn’t have it all handled, but I’m glad I found you when I did.” He leaned back and gave her a long glance. “I’m sorry, Delilah. For acting like an idiot and causing a scene at the dance. I’m sorry I didn’t…”
She silenced him with a finger over his mouth. “I know, Dugan. I know. Go do what you need to do, get some rest, and then we’ll talk.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kissed her again, gave Oliver a pat on the head, then ran out into the rain. He stopped at the gate and looked at her. “I love you, delightful, darling, daring Dilly of mine!”
She laughed and blew him a kiss. “I love you, too!”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Through the window of the slowing locomotive, Dugan watched Ross Robbins get to his feet and rush toward the door before the train finished screeching to a halt.
Last week, after he helped Tully and Seth interrogate all the members of his uncle’s gang and completed the necessary reports, he sent a telegraph to Delilah’s father requesting his permission to marry the man’s daughter. In the time it took him to go to the café and eat the first decent meal he’d had since Saturday, he received an affirmative reply.
He immediately made his way to Delilah’s house where they had a long talk and made plans to marry. Much to his elation, she would have marched down the street to Pastor Eagan’s house and wed right then.
In spite of his impatience to make the beautiful, amazing woman his own, Dugan wanted to do things properly. So he sent Ross another telegram, asking if he thought he could return by the first of June, the date Delilah wanted to wed.
As he watched his soon-to-be father-in-law step off the train, Dugan grinned and took one of the bags the man held then shook his hand. “Cutting it a little close?” Dugan asked as they made their way across the train platform and down the steps.
“The train was delayed for an hour this morning while we waited for a herd of cattle to get off the tracks. I was about ready to get out and walk,” Ross said, keeping step with Dugan as they hurried toward the Robbins’ home.
Delilah had gone to Maggie’s house to dress for the wedding. Pastor Eagan would marry them in the church then everyone would go to the cottage garden for the reception. Everything and everyone was set. The only thing they’d been missing was the bride’s father.
“According to my sources, your daughter was growing quite anxious for you to arrive,” Dugan said, holding open the front gate and following Ross up the walk.
The man looked around, appearing impressed with his daughter’s propensity for turning any piece of ground into a lovely haven of green lawn and flowers.
“You should see the backyard,” Dugan said, as they walked up the steps.
Ross opened the door and moved inside, then took the bag from Dugan. “I’ll change into my suit and meet you at the church.”
“Want me to wait for you?” Dugan asked.
“You go on. It won’t take me long,” Ross said, grinning at him. He set the bags down then gave Dugan an unexpected bear hug. “I’ve long hoped Lila would find a good man who could win her love and claim her heart. I’m glad she chose you, Dugan. You’re a fine, fine man.”
“Thank you, sir. I know we haven’t had much opportunity to get to know one another, but from what I do know, I couldn’t ask for a better father.”
Ross gave him a nudge toward the door and Dugan noticed the sheen of moisture in the man’s eyes. “Before we both start blubbering like little girls, get out of here, son. I’ll be right there.”
Dugan nodded and took a step back then glanced down at Ross’s leg. “Is your injury healed, sir?”
Ross grinned. “I could have been home weeks ago, but I figured you needed a little more time to work your wiles on my headstrong, opinionated daughter.”
Dugan chuckled. “I guess I really owe you a debt of thanks, sir.” He hurried down the walk and made his way to the church where guests had already started filling the pews. Seth and Tully agreed to stand up with him, but Seth would serve as his best man.
Together, the three of them moved into position at the front of the church. It seemed like forever and a day had passed before Maggie stepped into the church and gave them the signal that Delilah was ready to walk down the aisle.
The pianist began playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D as Maggie and then Brianna walked down the aisle. Sammy Barrett and Lily Jordan served as flower girls, both giggling as they tossed rose petals with abandon on their way down the aisle.
Dugan grinned at the two little girls in the frothy lace-bedecked dresses then lifted his gaze to a vision floating down the aisle on the arm of Ross. Delilah looked so elegant in her gown of white silk with ruffles of embroidered chiffon. A lace veil made by Allie Amick fastened over her gleaming dark hair with a spray of pink roses from Maggie’s garden pinned in a curl above her ear. Not that Dugan had any notion about women’s fashions, but Maggie and Brianna had chattered on and on about the gown until he knew the description, even if he had no idea how magnificent it would look on Delilah.
She smiled through the gauzy lace at him as her father placed her hand in Dugan’s then kissed her cheek.
Dugan heard him whisper to her. “Love you always, Lila.”
“Love you, too, Papa,” she said, blinking away the moisture in her eyes and turning her attention back to him and Pastor Eagan.
The ceremony passed so smoothly and quickly, Dugan was surprised when Pastor Eagan asked if he had a ring. He accepted the platinum band with a rose-cut diamond Seth held out to him. The ring had belonged to Delilah’s grandmother and she asked if he’d mind if she chose it as her wedding ring.
Dugan didn’t mind at all. She could have requested an iron washer for her finger and he wouldn’t have objected. He just wanted to be married to her, to know she was his forevermore.
In a strong, clear voice he recited his vows then smiled at Delilah as she said hers without a moment of hesitation.
The pastor said a few more words Dugan didn’t hear, lost as he was in the way sun streamed in a stained glass window and shone directly on his bride. The sight was so breathtaking, he wished there was a way to preserve it. Committing it to his memory would have to do.
He snapped back to attention when the pastor pronounced them man and wife and encouraged him to kiss his bride.
“Give her a good slobbery kiss, Uncle Dugan,” Lily Jordan said in a stage whisper that echoed throughout the church.
Tully chuckled. Seth laughed. Jemma Jordan’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment, but Dugan didn’t notice. He was too focused on lifting Delilah’s veil and looking into the warmth of her deep brown eyes. A grin creased his face as he saw the cameo pendant he’d sent over to Maggie’s for her to wear. He’s spent two days combing through every shop in Baker City looking for a perfect wedding gift before he’d found it: a pale blue cameo with a hummingbird sucking nectar from a morning glory while flowers bloomed all around it. The silver chain had two tiny silver robins attached to it, as though they looked down on the hummingbird with approval.
For a brief moment, he studied the cameo, the way it nestled right over his bride’s heart. “Happy wedding day, Dilly.”
She smiled at him, eyes sparkling with love and promises, waiting for him to seal their vows with a kiss.
Dugan had spent a measurable amount of time considering the type of kiss to give his bride. Too passionate seemed disrespectful. Too chaste seemed weak, pathetic. No, it had to be perfect.
He took a step closer, slid one hand to the back of her neck, the other around her waist and gave her a crooked, teasing smile. The kiss he bestowed on his bride let Delilah and everyone there know she was cherished, respected, wanted, needed, and loved. So incredibly loved.
Women sighed at the tenderness of the kiss and dabbed at their tears. The men around him slapped his back. Lily Jordan gave him an approving nod before she and Sammy giggled.
Dugan took Delilah’s hand and
led her down the aisle and out the doors of the church. When they stepped into the sunshine, he swept her into his arms and carried her all the way back to her father’s house. He knew for a fact she didn’t have anything left at the house. Ian and Tully had carted the last of her trunks over to his house that morning, under the orders of Maggie and Brianna.
The two women had organized a force of females who marched into his house yesterday morning, armed with feather dusters, glass polish, brooms, and soap. They’d scrubbed his house from top to bottom. He doubted it had ever been quite so clean nor had the windows sparkled so brightly.
He’d moved his belongings into the big bedroom downstairs that hadn’t seemed right to use before. Now he knew why. All along, he’d been waiting for Delilah to share it with him.
Thoughts of their wedding night made his collar threaten to squeeze off his air supply as he toed open the gate to the cottage’s backyard and looked around in surprise.
Delilah’s garden always looked splendid, but with wedding decorations hanging from the trees and additional baskets of flowers placed all around, it was a sight to behold.
Oliver chattered at them as he jumped off his chair and ran over. He stood on his back legs, begging to be picked up.
Dugan lifted him in one hand while Delilah reached out to pet him. He smiled at his bride. “I heard you and Brianna are planning to decorate Tully’s office next week.”
“You should hear all the things Brianna plans to take over there. Tully will hate it.” She giggled. “It’s going to be such fun!”
Dugan playfully swatted her backside. “Tully’s convinced you can train Oliver to do anything, after the way he gnawed all over Hugh Allen, or I guess I should call him Bill Durfey.”
“I don’t care what his name is, that horrid man will never be family to you, Dugan. You had no idea he even existed. Leave it at that.”
Dugan nodded. “He’ll most likely think himself dead before he makes it to trial since he’s convinced Ollie gave him rabies.”
Lightning and Lawmen Page 25