Connie and the Cowboy (Outlaw Gold)

by Mildred Colvin

  “Brett, can we . . .?” She couldn’t complete her question, but he understood.

  “Let me just hold you close tonight, Angel. Soon we will say our vows before God by our own choice. We’ll become one, I promise. ‘Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh.’”

  “Is that why you want to wait, Brett? So you can leave your father and mother first?” Maybe Brett didn’t really want her. They were married, yet he held back. Did that mean he might not stay married to her? That he’d soon tire of her and send her away? Now that he was back in his old surroundings, the threat of that happening seemed more real than ever.

  “You don’t know how hard it’s been for me to wait.” Brett gave a short laugh and kissed her temple. “But I want our marriage to be special. It should be because we want it. You need to know without doubt this is what you want.” His eyes darkened as he pulled back and looked into hers. “You’ve had a lot to deal with, Connie. As if the trip north wasn’t enough, there was your uncle and even me. I want you to have time to see what living here is like before you make that final commitment to being my wife.”

  Connie didn’t have to wait. She loved Brett. Without him, she’d be nothing just as she’d been before. He was her husband, and she didn’t want that to change. But wouldn’t coming together help them grow even closer? Brett wouldn’t change his mind. He was cautious. Too cautious for her comfort, yet she had no choice. She had to go along with what he wanted.

  “How soon can we get married again?” she asked.

  His soft chuckle warmed her. “Why don’t you talk to Mom about it tomorrow? I know she’ll want to help out. I think she’s planning a family dinner tomorrow night so Liz and Kate can meet you and see me. They’ll want to be involved, too.”

  Connie agreed on the outside, but her life had been yanked from under her while Brett’s family held control, and she hated that. They shouldn’t be planning her special wedding to Brett, but she had to go along with Brett’s wishes. There was nothing she could do except snuggle close in his arms and be patient.

  Someday, he’d get tired of working for his father and having his do-gooder family run his life. Someday, they could leave Springfield and buy a ranch so Brett could be a cowboy again. If only she had her gold that someday would be now.

  Chapter 15

  Brett looked into the depths of Connie’s blue-violet eyes. The brave front she’d put on since their arrival still shone. He sighed. “Will you be all right while I’m gone?”

  Mom lifted his plate and added it to the stack of dirty dishes. “She’ll be fine, Brett. Your father wants you with him today. Things have changed in the last five years. He’s waiting for you now at the office. He’s so thankful to have you home.”

  Brett had his own role to play if he kept his feelings about working for his father from everyone. Like a steer that’d been lassoed and tied, he was helpless against the pleased light in his father’s eyes. But maybe working indoors wouldn’t be as bad as he’d thought when he was eighteen.

  Connie tied on an apron and sent the hint of a smile his way, melting his heart. He could endure anything as long as she was part of his life. When they set up housekeeping, he’d need a good paying job.

  He hooked a finger under her chin and kissed her. “I’ll be back at noon with Father.”

  “Your mother’s bakin’ today. I’ll be plenty busy helpin’.” She turned away, but not before he saw the hurt in her eyes. She didn’t like staying under another woman’s roof. The sooner they got into their own house, the better it’d be for everyone.

  He caught Connie’s hand. “Mom, Connie and I would like to renew our marriage vows here where the family can be present.”

  Mom pivoted from the dishwater. “What a lovely idea. I’m sure Reverend Baker would be pleased to perform the ceremony.”

  “Yes, that’s what we thought. I mean, we hoped that you would have some ideas of how to go about getting things lined up. Maybe I should leave you and Connie to discuss the details.”

  Mom smiled at Connie. “I’m sure we can do that.”

  “Fine.” He let his finger trail down Connie’s arm. “Hey, I’ll see you later.”

  She caught his hand. “Bye, Brett.”

  Brett slipped his fingers away after a gentle squeeze. He’d like nothing better than staying with Connie. His words caught in his throat when he tried to tell her bye, so he only smiled.

  He walked the mile to his father’s factory, enjoying the freedom of the outdoors. He’d soon be confined to an office, so he figured he’d make the most of walking to and from work. Maybe he and Connie could go riding and have picnic lunches on the days he didn’t work. They’d find a way to enjoy the out-of-doors, he was sure of it.

  The early June sun warmed him as he passed the neighbor’s house. The houses sat closer together as he drew near town. He reached the livery stable, then the blacksmith, and the gunsmith. After that he passed the millinery next to a dress shop and then the general store. The men he met on the street spoke and he tipped his hat toward the women, but he didn’t recognize anyone.

  Downtown remained much like he remembered with the addition of a few new businesses. At the general store he turned south, and a young man leaning against the side of another store building across the street caught his eye. Something about the man’s posture looked familiar. Two steps later, he remembered where he’d seen the fellow.

  Brett stopped short, turned, and stared at the other man. If Sheriff Burns’ deputy had followed them here, there could be only one thing he wanted. And Brett wasn’t about to let the man take him in a second time for a murder he hadn’t committed. Not now. Not when he’d found Connie. A flush of anger moved him toward the deputy.

  Before he could cross the street, the man turned his head toward Brett then walked away as if he didn’t recognize him. The breath he’d been holding left his lungs in a rush. Had he been mistaken? Several yards separated them. His mind could have played a trick on him, making him see a threat that didn’t exist. Would he ever feel safe again?

  The man disappeared around the corner. Even with the sheriff out of the picture, there would always be other lawmen or even bounty hunters who might have seen a wanted poster with his picture on it.

  He stared at the building where the man had leaned. Deputy Deems had probably taken over the job of sheriff in Purgatory by now. Besides, Deems admitted he didn’t believe Brett was guilty, so he wouldn’t have followed an innocent man to Springfield. As Brett’s heart rate returned to normal, he crossed the square and walked the remaining few blocks to Norris Manufacturing Company.

  Changes in additions to the old brick building and the number of employees surprised Brett. A few he knew from years past and spoke to them as briefly as possible while he made his way across the foyer and down the hall to his father’s office.

  He stuck his head in the door. “I’m here, Father.”

  His father looked up from the ledger on his expansive oak desk with a smile. “Son, it’s good to see you. I was just going over the sales record for the past year. You’ve always been good with figures and you’re good with people. You’ll be an excellent addition to our business.”

  The walls closed in on Brett as he stepped into the office. He kept his gaze on his father’s smile so he wouldn’t be tempted to run. “Sure, what do you have in mind?”

  Before his father could answer, a man’s voice intruded from behind Brett. “What’s this I’ve been hearing about the prodigal son returning home?”

  Brett turned as his tall, lanky brother-in-law strode toward him with a big grin and his hand out in welcome. Brett clapped his shoulder as they shook hands. “You know what they say, Jim, a bad penny always returns.”

  “So, what brought you back here? Last I heard you were going to live the good life of cowboys on the wide open range.” Jim Hutchens, with the ease of familiarity, pulled out one of the chairs in front of Father’s desk and sat w
ith his ankle resting on his knee.

  Brett laughed and took the other chair. “It’s a long story. Mom’s inviting you all over for dinner tonight so you can hear it with the rest of them.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yeah, but I do have one thing I’d like an opinion on, if you don’t mind and have the time for me.” He’d never get a better chance to ask for advice from the two men he trusted more than any others.

  His father slid the ledger to the side. “If you have a problem, son, we’ll take the time.”

  Brett breathed a prayer of thanks for the one thing that had not changed—his father’s love. He told Jim a little about Connie, concentrating on the gold her father had left in a cave near Springfield. “She wants me to help her find the cave. Actually, I think she has a good idea where it is, but wants me there when she finds it. What do you think about this? Connie says her father gave the money to her as her inheritance, and she intends to claim it.”

  Jim shook his head. “I don’t know, Brett. I’m having a problem with the moral issues here. If the gold was stolen from some payroll, it doesn’t belong to Connie. By rights that gold should be returned to the victims of the holdup.”

  “Father, is that your opinion, too?”

  His father shrugged. “I’m sorry, son, but Jim’s right. Even if Connie finds the gold, it isn’t really hers any more than it was her father’s. If he’d worked at an honest job and earned the money, it would be different, but that gold is still the property of those who lost it.”

  Brett frowned. “Now that could be a problem. I don’t think Connie has any idea where her father got the gold other than it was a payroll. Actually, my understanding is that he accumulated what’s out there from several jobs. My guess is it would be impossible to return.”

  “That depends.” Jim straightened. “Not for every piece, of course, but if some of the gold is still in the original bags, there might be a name and even address on them. A lot of times they do that so it can be returned in case it goes astray.”

  “Then I reckon that means I’d better go with her to the cave and see what we can find.” Brett took in a deep breath. So Connie couldn’t have her gold. She wouldn’t understand and would be angry with him. He let his breath out in a rush. “She isn’t going to take this very well.”

  Father tapped a pencil against the desk. His gaze met Brett’s. “She told Mary that her father was in banking. That he was killed during a holdup.”

  Jim laughed. “She’s right. He was in banking, wasn’t he?”

  Brett chuckled. What all had she told Mary? Not that he blamed her. He sobered. “Connie isn’t proud of her parents or of the lives they lived. She loved her father very much, and I’m sure she wanted to protect his memory without telling an out-and-out lie.” He looked from one man to the other. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t let on that you know about her father. Or about the gold. As soon as I can, I’ll take her out there, but I’ve got to convince her we don’t need the money and that we’re doing the right thing when we give it back. If we can give it back. This won’t be easy.”

  “What? Giving it back?” Jim grinned at him.

  Brett shook his head. “No, convincing her.”

  “I can’t wait to meet your wife, Brett. She sounds like a great addition to the family.”

  Brett grinned. “What does Liz know about this?”

  Jim laughed. “She doesn’t even know you’re home. I just found out a few minutes ago when Mr. Jones told me. That’s why I’m here. I thought he had finally gone senile.”

  Brett laughed. “I ran into him downstairs. He thought he was seeing a ghost at first. Which brings me to my next question.” He looked at his father. “How long do you need me here? I’d like to run over and see Liz before we go home at noon.”

  “Give me a couple of hours to acquaint you with what’s expected of you and then you can go.” His father gave Brett an indulgent smile. “Monday morning, after the family has had time to see you, I’ll expect you at your desk first thing ready to put in a full day’s work.”

  “Great, because I plan to give my big sister a surprise when I land on her doorstep.”

  Jim laughed. “One look at you and she’ll be surprised, I guarantee it.”

  ~*~

  Brett stepped into his sister’s front yard. He headed toward the front door when he saw movement to the side in back. Elizabeth stood at the clothesline, hanging up freshly laundered clothing. She had her back to him, and he didn’t see anyone else. He’d never have a better chance to give her the surprise he planned.

  He crept around the house watching her. As she bent to pull a sheet from her basket, he paused. She lifted it to the clothesline and pinned one corner, he stepped forward and reached out to tap her on the shoulder. Just inches from touching her, a sharp pain hit his shoulder.

  “Ow!” He yelled, grabbing his arm. Something hit him in the side. He turned, confused by the attack, only to receive more painful hits.

  Crouched behind a bush not ten feet away were two little boys throwing rocks at him. He held up his arms in a vain attempt to protect himself and yelled at his sister. “Liz, call off your brood.”

  Elizabeth let the sheet drop as she stood, frozen in place, staring at him and ignoring her sons. “Brett?” Her eyes grew wide. “Brett, is it really you?”

  He dodged another missile. “Yes! Make them stop.”

  “What?” She looked toward the bush. “Oh, no. Benton! Ashley! Walker! All of you come here right now.”

  Brett watched the three boys crawl out from behind the bush and walk to their mother while they glared at him. The older one, dark haired like Liz, lifted defiant brown eyes toward Brett. “That man was sneakin’ up on you, Mama. We defended you like Daddy says to do.”

  Elizabeth put an arm around each small boy as she crouched down to their level. “I understand, but from now on, let’s make sure there is need before we throw rocks at innocent people. This man is your Uncle Brett. He’s been gone a long time and was probably trying to surprise me.”

  She looked up at Brett with merriment dancing in her eyes. “See what you get for staying away so long and then sneaking in here without warning? Your own nephews don’t know you.”

  He grinned at the boys and rubbed a sore spot on his side. “I reckon the fault's mine, fellas. I was trying to play a trick on your mom, but I got the worst end of the deal.”

  Elizabeth stood. “I can assure you my heart is still running away with the surprise you gave me. What about Father and Mary? Do they know you’ve come home?”

  “I got in last night, Liz. Father already has me working at the office.”

  She laughed and patted the boys’ shoulders. “Don’t you have something to say to your Uncle Brett?”

  The older boy stepped forward. “I’m sorry I threw rocks at you, Uncle Brett. I didn’t know who you was.”

  His younger brothers chimed in together. “Sorry, Uncle Brett.”

  Brett grinned. “Hey, I’m glad you’re taking care of your mother. You fellas have some good throwing arms. I don’t think you missed once.”

  Ben shrugged. “Yeah, Walker’s better’n me. He can knock a bird out of the sky if it ain’t flyin’ too high. You wasn’t hard to hit, though, ‘cause you just stood there.”

  Brett would’ve taken exception to that remark, but at that moment, the back door banged open, and an even smaller boy came running out to squeeze between his older brother and mother. Brett realized this was one nephew he hadn’t met.

  He visited with the boys and Liz for a few minutes while she hung the remainder of her clothes on the line. Then, she picked up the basket. “You boys come in for some cookies and then you can find something useful to do while I visit with your uncle. Come on, Brett, you may as well come inside and meet the others.”

  Brett followed his sister and her youngest son. “How do you ever get anything done with four boys?”

  Liz laughed. “Four? You haven’t met everyone yet.”
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br />   Oh, yes. She’d said there were more. How many more? How many babies could a woman have in five years?

  She passed out cookies and milk to the boys then sat at the table with Brett and talked. They spoke of the early days before their father married Mary, when Liz had done the best she could to steer the little, lost boy Brett had been in the right direction.

  After a while, Elizabeth looked across the table and pinned Brett with her gaze. “You haven’t told me what brought you home.”

  “Mom wants you all and Kate’s family to come over for dinner tonight. I figured that would be soon enough to tell everything so I don’t have to repeat, but there’s one thing I can tell you.” He waited until her eyebrows lifted. “I’m married.”

  “Married! How wonderful.” Liz seemed to search his eyes as she had when he was little. He always wondered if she could read his mind when she looked at him so intensely. “It is wonderful, isn’t it?”

  He grinned. “Yeah, it’s pretty wonderful. We plan to repeat our vows here, though, so the entire family can be there.”

  A baby’s cry sounded from the bedroom, bringing a smile to Elizabeth. “I can scarcely wait to meet your wife, but now you’ve got to meet two very special people.”

  Brett followed his sister into the bedroom to a crib. She cuddled a dark-haired baby about one-year-old until her crying stopped.

  “This is your niece. Her twin sister is still asleep.” Liz inclined her head toward another crib Brett hadn’t noticed.

  He turned to see an identical baby to the one in his sister’s arms. “Wow!” He looked at his sister. “How on earth do you manage with four boys and two babies?”

  She laughed. “I’d be the last to say it’s easy. Maybe someday you’ll have firsthand experience.”

  Brett imagined a tiny baby with silky blonde hair cradled in Connie’s arms and smiled. “Yeah, that might be kinda nice.”