by Linda Broday
“Thank you. I hope he feels the same.”
Kevin nodded in reassurance. “Oh, yes, ma’am. He does.” But even as he spoke, he glanced around the hallway very carefully and protectively.
“Mr. Larson?”
They had come to the top of the stairs. Kevin faced her with a serious look. “Captain Cameron’s a good man, a good friend. You can trust him—with your life—if anything should happen.”
Just then, Mrs. Blue began to play the wedding march on the piano, the sound of the notes swelling in the air, shushing all conversation. Kevin had more to say, Evie knew, but there was no time now. She placed her hand on his arm and he guided her down the stairs as she pasted on her best smile and faced the townspeople who had come to see Alexander Cameron marry his mail-order bride.
****
Alex’s heart nearly stopped at the sight of his bride-to-be. Then, it took off in a riotous pounding that he had to force under control. Evie was even more beautiful than she’d been earlier today at the station, if that was possible.
He stood near the windows of the front room along with Preacher Lemley, Eric, and Sage. Mrs. Blue played the piano with fervor, an expression of pure enjoyment on her face.
The room was packed with the townsfolk of Talihina, but Alex only had eyes for Evie—at least, for this particular moment. He tried not to let his mind stray to the crushing responsibility that threatened to ruin his happiness in this moment.
Kevin had ridden out only a half an hour ago with some disturbing news that had Alex on edge. Kevin never would have left the saloon if it hadn’t been absolutely necessary. Something was amiss. Drawing his friend aside, they’d gone into a small parlor for privacy, barely closing the door before Kevin said, “It’s Jack Walters. He’s here to make good on his threat.”
Alex swore softly. “Did he come into the saloon?”
Kevin nodded. “Strutted right up to the bar and asked for me. I knew him the minute I laid eyes on him. He said he was gunnin’—for you, but he heard you were gettin’ married. Said it was the day he’d been waitin’ for, all these years.
“‘You tell him I’m here to make good on my promise to him. He’ll know just what I’m talking about.’ That’s what he said.”
“Yeah. I reckon I do. Reckon you remember that day just as clear as I do.”
Kevin nodded. “I’ll be on the lookout. Should’ve just killed him—”
“No.” Alex shook his head. “There’s been enough killing. Maybe we can head this off somehow.”
Kevin looked doubtful. “Don’t think that’s gonna happen, Cap’n.”
“Let’s try to get this wedding over with before he shows up.” He sighed. “One thing at a time.” This marriage had to be finalized. Only then would he be able to fully protect Evie from the danger he had unwittingly placed her in.
“I’ll be here, Cap’n. I got your back, like always.” Kevin had turned to go, leaving Alex to his dark thoughts.
A promise—a threat—made years ago on a bloody battlefield. Walters had begged Alex to kill him rather than turn him over for the deserter he’d been. Alex had chased him when he’d run, dragging him back to their general to face his punishment. In front of every man there, Walters had threatened his vengeance. He’d promised, once the war was over, to find Alex and destroy him.
“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill your wife, your children—burn down your damn house! You’ll never be safe from me, Cameron! Never!”
The words echoed in his thoughts now as he remembered the way Walters had turned to scream over his shoulder as the soldiers had hauled him away to the brig.
The day of reckoning was here. Now that he’d finally found his happiness, Jack Walters was bound and determined to steal it from him.
****
“You may kiss your bride,” Preacher Lemley intoned.
As Alex gently took Evie in his arms, he bent to put his lips to hers. Evie’s hands moved around his waist, a slow show of trust. It was a start, Alex thought, his heart racing as his mouth came across hers.
The trust was not just in her touch, but in her kiss, as well, and he felt a rush of protectiveness for Evie that surprised him—at this early stage of their budding relationship.
That thought was strangely tender to him—reminding him again of the faith Evie was placing in him, in this new life, and in their future.
From behind him, Kevin cleared his throat—a sound Alex was well-acquainted with—a signal that Alex had kissed his bride just a bit longer than propriety might dictate.
He lifted his head, a smile playing on his lips that he couldn’t hide. Evie looked into his eyes, shaken at first, then smiled back shyly. They turned to face the crowd together.
Applause thundered through the front room and Evie’s confidence in her new life edged up a notch. Sage and Eric stood on either side of Mrs. Blue, who had mentioned she planned to stay overnight in the guest room tonight rather than travel the scant mile to her home.
But there was one man in the crowd who was not smiling. In his eyes burned an unholy hatred as he fixed his gaze first on Alex, then upon Evie.
Alex stiffened beside her. He must have seen it, too. The next thing Evie saw was the flash of fire and smoke from the barrel of the handgun the man had drawn. Guests fell to the floor, seeking cover. Some ran for the doors, shrieking. Evie found herself on the floor, tangled in her skirts. Alex had pushed her down to safety, she realized—but, was he safe?
And where were the boys? Evie tried to see what she could from her position, but as low to the ground as she was, there wasn’t much to look at.
The chaos began to dissipate as the crowd dispersed in all directions, and Evie ventured to her knees to peek over the back of a chair. Sage cowered under a nearby table, but Eric was nowhere in sight. Evie put her finger to her lips as she made eye contact with Sage. He nodded solemnly, but she could see the shudder that ran through him.
“Cameron! I’m here! It’s time to pay up for what you done to me.”
The man who had spoken held two Navy Colts aloft, at the ready—and Alex had no weapon available. Yet, he didn’t flinch. Evie’s throat closed, and she felt as if she were going to choke as she peeked through a chair slat.
“Walters, you got what you deserved. You were a damn coward. You ran, and you got punished for it.” Alex’s voice was steady and unafraid. Evie wondered how many times before he must have stared death in the face, just as he was now.
“Wasn’t up to you to do what you done! Now, you’re gonna pay!”
Alex shrugged. “That’s been years ago—”
“For you, maybe!” Walters took another step forward, anger twisting his features. “I spent months in a hell-hole, waiting for freedom. You and your boys were out doing what you wished, while I sat and rotted.”
“What we wished? Do you think we were free, Walters? We were just as bound as you were, by something you know nothing about—honor. We all stayed and fought ’til the bloody end!”
“For all the good it’ll do you now,” he sneered. “You’re going to lose everything, in spite of it all, just like I did!”
Lose everything? Evie thought the man must not realize what he was saying. Losing her wouldn’t mean much to Alex—but the boys, that was different…From the way Walters phrased his threats, and the way his eyes roved over the room as if he were looking for someone, Evie knew suddenly what Jack Walters intended to do. He wasn’t going to kill Alex yet. He planned to take everything from him first—her, the boys, maybe even Kevin Larson—before he killed him. He wanted Alex to witness his own destruction before he died.
“Come out, pretty lady,” Walters called in a sing-song voice. “Come out, Mrs. Cameron. Let’s find out what you’re worth to my ol’ pal Alex, here. Don’t dawdle. My trigger finger’s gettin’ mighty itchy—”
“So is mine.” The sound of a gun being cocked reverberated through the stillness of the room as Kevin came to stand behind Walters, his gun steady at Walters’s back. “Drop ’e
m.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Alex saw in Jack Walters’s eyes that he did not plan to give up. He’d lived his life for this moment, from the day he’d been court-martialed for desertion.
So many things Alex wished, now, he’d done differently. How he regretted the bargain he’d made with Evie—more than anything else. If they got out of this alive, he feared he may renege on the crazy idea that he could wait a week until Valentine’s Day to make love to her, and make her his completely.
The boys—he could see Sage’s foot under the table, but had no idea where Eric was.
Now that Kevin held Walters at gunpoint, Walters had become a hundred times more dangerous than ever before.
Alex wore a shoulder holster beneath his jacket—a last-minute addition after Kevin’s warning about Walters’s appearance at the saloon. The weapon wasn’t visible, or so he hoped. He only needed a diversion of some kind to get to it.
Taking Walters prisoner was not an option for him now. Walters was a demon who would keep coming back again and again. Until he was dead, Sage, Eric and Evie would never be completely safe. There would be more killing, and it would be here, in his home, mere feet from where he’d married someone he’d hoped to build a future with.
Jack Walters was ruining him—either way. For what woman could stay married to a killer? The annulment he and Evie had discussed before loomed—a possibility that seemed more certain than not.
In Walters’s face, Alex saw the decision finalize to pull the trigger, with no care that a man stood ready to do the same to him. It meant everything to him, Alex saw, to complete his revenge.
Alex dove forward and rolled, coming up with his .38. He sighted his target immediately, though Kevin had already gotten off a shot of his own. Walters was still standing, and Alex could see Kevin had hit his arm, shooting to wound rather than kill.
Walters still held a pistol in his left hand, and it was pointed at Evie, who covered her head and drew herself up tightly into a ball on the floor.
“Bye, Mrs. Cameron. So nice to meet you—”
But before he could shoot, Alex pulled the trigger.
The sound was deafening, along with Evie’s scream that echoed through the room.
Was she hit?
As Kevin knelt over Walters’s body, Alex scrambled to Evie.
There was no sign of blood, at first glance. But he made certain, drawing her into his arms and holding her tightly.
“Are you hurt?” His words came out raspy. How could he bear it if his past life had killed his future? He held her away from him, checking to see if she was bleeding.
“No, oh, no—I’m not—he didn’t—” Tears began to flow and she clung to Alex once again, safe in his arms. He kissed the top of her head.
“The boys—” she managed to stammer. “Sage is safe, but—where is Eric?”
Mrs. Blue bustled in just then, pulling Sage from his hiding place. He wrapped his arms around her neck, and she nodded toward Alex. “I’ll see to the boys. Eric’s in the kitchen with me. There’s things here they’ve no need to remember.”
Alex nodded. “I’ll take care of it.” Glancing over his shoulder, he could see Kevin Larson was already stripping off Walters’s shirt to wrap around the fatal chest wound and absorb the blood. His eyes met Alex’s in silent assurance that he would handle the situation. Alex had something else to see to, now—something that was going to affect his entire life.
Alex stood slowly, then helped Evie to her feet.
“Our guests—” She gestured toward the front door.
He smiled at her. “I’m thinking we may want to postpone the reception until tomorrow,” he said regretfully. “If you’re still here.”
She looked up at him quickly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I—wasn’t sure after—what just happened…Look, Evie—” He rubbed his finger over the wedding ring he’d just placed on her finger minutes earlier. “Walters has been after me since during the war. I brought him in when he deserted. He swore he’d ruin me. I need to know—did he?”
****
Evie looked up into Alex’s dark eyes, so full of worry. Who would ever have thought he would anguish so over her, in light of all that had happened? She was important to him. And, if she was honest, she had to admit that he had come to mean a great deal to her, as well, in this short time.
Could this be the beginning of love for them? How she treasured the way he’d come to her immediately, the way his hands had held her, his gaze moving swiftly over her to be sure she was safe! No one had ever done that for her before. No one had ever cared enough—
The uncertainty in his expression twisted her heart even more than the worry. She reached to touch his cheek, then smoothed the dark hair back. Briefly, he closed his eyes, as if savoring her touch. He raised his hand to hers as she cradled his cheek once more, steeling himself for her reply.
“Alex, I—” She stumbled, but he waited until she could find the words she wanted. Instead, she drew him down to her until their lips met, and she kissed him until he realized this was her answer—her promise to him. She was here to stay.
****
Relief flooded through Alex, and he began to fully understand how much he’d counted on Evie. He’d tried to convince himself that his need to marry was based on his boys’ yearning for a mother—a real family. But in his soul, he knew it was more than that. When he’d placed the advertisement, he’d tried to convince himself it didn’t matter if no one answered. But Evie had. Evie had been the only one. Maybe someday he’d tell her that—but it wouldn’t have mattered if there had been a thousand responses.
Something in the way Evie spoke through her writing touched him. She understood loneliness, and need…and, after the kiss she’d just given him, he was convinced she desired him as much as he did her.
His fear for her, when Walters had pulled the trigger, still made his heart pound when he thought of it—uncommon fear; fear of losing something irreplaceable…fear of losing someone he…loved.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Evie whispered as she broke the kiss, as if she’d read his mind.
Alex chuckled. “Thought we were waiting until Valentine’s Day—”
“Oh, no, I don’t want to wait, Alex—” She looked up into his eyes, saw his teasing. With a smile she said, “Devil. Don’t make me humiliate myself.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Evangeline Cameron.” He turned serious again. “I want you every bit as much. I just want you to be sure. I don’t think I can give you up if you change your mind.”
“There are still a lot of things we need to learn about each other, Alex. But I already know the most important one.”
He cocked a dark brow.
“Mrs. Blue says our hearts have been lost—and now, they’re found. Now that we’re together.”
He shook his head. “Trust Mrs. Blue.”
“I believe she’s right,” Evie went on. “And, I’m ready— for what’s to come between us. I don’t want to wait for Valentine’s Day—anything could happen. Look what took place here, today.”
“I believe you may be saying you don’t want to lose me, Evie,” Alex whispered, pulling her close to him.
“I think I may be saying that-that I love you.” She didn’t look at him, just laid her head on his shoulder as she came into his arms once more. It felt so right, so perfect. He smiled, giving in to his own emotions.
“I love you, too, Evie. Now, and forever.”
Her embrace tightened at his back. There was no way she could ignore his male hardness pressed against her. When she drew back after a moment, her eyes sparkled with mischief.
“I think we better get upstairs,” she murmured.
Alex nodded. “While I can still walk,” he muttered gruffly.
****
Making love to Evie was the sweetest thing Alex had ever known. She gave of herself as no lover had ever done before. In return, he treated her with a gentleness he hadn’t realized he was capable of.
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Now, as she lay content with her head on his shoulder, he could feel a question coming. She had something on her mind—and it brought a secret smile to his lips to think he was already beginning to know her so well.
“Alex?”
“Mmm?”
“How did you end up owning The Silver Star?”
“I won it in a game of poker. And I don’t want you to worry about it, Evie. Kevin’s much better at that kind of business than I am. I’ve been considering giving it to him.”
“He seems like a good friend—”
“He’s the best. I know you don’t like the idea of us owning a saloon. And if I give it to Kevin, he could do with it as he saw fit, without being in my shadow.”
She hesitated, as if thinking of the best way to phrase her next question. “We don’t need it for the income, do we?”
By the timid way she asked, Alex could tell she was unused to financial matters, or the discussion of them.
“No, sweetheart. This ranch is what I love—not the saloon. And I don’t want you to worry about anything—especially something like The Silver Star, that means nothing to me.”
Evie rose up and kissed him—a lingering, tender kiss that roused his passions once more.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Alex—that means so much to me.”
There were things inside her soul she couldn’t speak of yet. But she’d tell him, eventually. They both had secret wounds that only now could be healed—with this new love of theirs. It could take a lifetime of discovery, for both of them. He looked forward to it—this journey together that had started to unfurl before them.
He might as well start now; show Evie she could trust him with the things that mattered most, by sharing something with her that he never thought he’d be able to admit.
He speared his fingers through Evie’s mass of glorious, silky hair before he spoke.
“Mrs. Blue was right, you know.”
“How do you mean?” She was so beautiful looking down at him, her lips ripe and swollen from his kisses, her eyes warm and questioning.
“My heart isn’t lost anymore, Evie. It’s full…and found.”