She lifted misty eyes to his. “Amen,” she echoed. “That was so sweet of you, to pray for my mother.”
After they’d finished their meal and the table had been cleared, Stone asked, “How soon do you want to announce our engagement?”
“As soon as we’re sure Mother is going to be all right.”
For the next hour, the pair discussed their wedding plans, with Stone agreeing with everything Juliette said.
“Well,” he began awkwardly when they’d finished, “thanks for supper. I’d best be gettin’ on home. Guess I won’t see you again until Sunday. That is, unless you need me for something, with your mother and father gone.”
“I have plenty to do here, and hopefully we won’t be needing you. But if we do, I’ll send Reuben.”
“Then, Sunday it is,” he said with a tip of his hat as he backed out the door, nearly bumping into two incoming hotel guests. “At church. Save me a seat.”
❧
Four days later, looking weary and tired, John Baker arrived home without Mary.
“How is she, Father?” Juliette asked with a worried frown.
“Better, I think. She went right to bed when we got there. She was tired from the trip, of course, but I think Doc was right. She needs uninterrupted rest. I wish I could’ve stayed with her, but I wanted to check on you children. How have things been going?”
“Mr. Piper—”
Juliette’s hand clamped over Caroline’s mouth. “It’s my secret. Let me tell him.”
Her younger sister stopped talking, despite the fact that she looked as though she was about to burst with the good news.
“I think you’d better sit down, Father. It’s about the hotel.”
John lowered himself onto the horsehair sofa and cupped his face with his hands. “Things look mighty bleak, and I apologize to you girls. I never thought I’d see the day I wouldn’t be able to provide for my family. But it seems it’s come to that. I can’t even offer—”
Juliette dropped to her knees before him, pulled his hands from his face, and took them both in hers. “Father, you don’t have to worry anymore. The hotel is yours! We won’t have to move after all, and we’ve had every room rented since you left. I’ve been—”
John lifted his face and stared at his eldest daughter. “What are you talking about? What do you mean, the hotel is mine?”
She placed her hand over his affectionately. “The hotel belongs to you. Stone took care of it at the bank. The bill of sale has been signed, and your name is recorded as its sole owner!”
“Stone did that?” His face took on a deep frown. “But how? And why?” John closed his eyes and allowed his shoulders to slump. “He talked you into marrying him, didn’t he? Because of me.”
Juliette shook her head vigorously. “No! That’s not the way it was! It was my decision!”
John squinted. “Oh, Daughter. No one should have to marry someone they don’t love to save their family. He should never have forced this upon you.”
Juliette pulled her hanky from her sleeve and wiped at her father’s eyes. “Don’t blame Stone. It was my decision. He did it for you, for all of us, and he’s going to be a father to my baby. We’ll never want for anything. It’s going to be wonderful!”
“But, can you honestly say you love him, Juliette? You said you’d never marry a man you didn’t love. Remember?”
She hesitated.
“Juliette, I’ve asked you a question.”
“I—ah—I once heard that love isn’t always a funny feeling in the pit of your stomach when the other person is around. It’s an act of will. And Father, if any person deserves to be loved, it’s Stone Piper. I’m hopeful I can learn to love him in time.”
John took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. “Is that going to be enough for you? This is a lifetime commitment.”
“I can’t honestly say. But I know Stone is a wonderful man. I’ve only recently realized it. And I have Andrew to consider. Marrying Stone will give my son things and opportunities I could never give him. What more could I ask of a man?”
“You could ask for love, like you had with David,” he reminded her softly.
“A love like that may only come around once in a lifetime. All I could ever want is right in front of me, being handed to me by one of the finest, most thoughtful men in the community. Dare I wait to see if love happens in my life again?”
“You’ve resigned yourself to this, Daughter?”
“Yes, Father, I have. Stone and I are going to be married.”
“You should’ve seen the supper she fixed for him while you were gone,” Reuben cut in with an outright laugh as he came through the front door. “Burned both the beans and the cornbread. That man’s crazy to marry her.”
John’s somber face took on a smile. “She burned them? Really?”
Juliette allowed a snicker to escape her lips. “Burned them something awful. I had to fix us sandwiches.”
“But he still wants to marry her. Can you believe that?”
Juliette swatted at her brother. “Be quiet.”
❧
The night was still. Stone tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep despite the hard work he’d done all day. Deep in his bones, he felt an uneasiness that couldn’t be explained. Even thoughts of his upcoming marriage and bringing his boys home couldn’t soothe his restlessness.
Was that the sound of horses’ hooves off in the distance? He sat up in bed and listened intently as the sound grew louder. Who could be coming to Carson Creek Ranch this time of night? Well, whoever it is, I’ll be ready for them.
He pulled on his pants and shirt, grabbed his jacket and his rifle, and stepped out onto the porch as a band of men on horseback appeared in the faint streams of moonlight fanning their way across the yard. He squinted in the darkness, unable to make out the riders, his hand tightening on his trusty rifle.
“Halt!”
He immediately recognized Zach Nance’s voice as the band came to a stop, the dust whipping up in a cloud about the horses’ hooves. “What’s wrong, Nance? What are you doing here this time of night?”
“Clint Norton rode into town and said a band of outlaws are robbing and torching settlers’ homes up the creek from you. They’ve already burnt down Homer Bailey’s place. We’ve got to stop them.”
“Where’s the sheriff? He know about this?”
Zach Nance shook his head. “He’s taking care of trouble somewhere else. That’s why we came for you.”
“Give me a second.” He rushed back into the house, pulled a second rifle and a revolver from a shelf, and filled a saddlebag with ammunition before grabbing his leather vest from the peg.
Moses had heard the commotion and saddled Blackie by the time Stone rushed into the barn. “Take care of things, Moses,” he shouted as he mounted the big horse. “Don’t take any chances if those men come by here. Keep your gun handy.”
Stone joined the men who’d already assembled when the alarm went out, and they moved toward the creek with Stone in the lead. “Anyone seriously hurt?”
“I’m afraid so. Bailey’s dead. Don’t know about his wife. Clint was pretty shaken up and didn’t have many details. He was lucky to get away undetected.”
Stone nodded. “What is it with men who think they can ride in and take the belongings good folks have worked a lifetime for?”
“Human nature, I guess.”
“Sinful nature, I’d call it,” Stone said with disgust. “Just like the Bible says.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” a familiar voice sounded as one of the riders rode up to join the two men.
“John, that you?” Stone guided Blackie nearer the man. “I didn’t know you were back. How’s Mary?”
“Better.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence until they neared the MacGregor house.
Stone turned toward his troops, lifted a hand, and tugged on the reins of his horse. “Gentlemen, we’re getting close to where the outlaws were last spott
ed. When we get there, I think we’d best separate. Zach, you take four of the men and circle around to the north. I’ll take four, and we’ll ride along next to the creek. John, you come with me. You other three men go to the west with Jake Murdock. Everybody else, stay here on the south side. I’ll give all of you time to get into your positions. Then, when you see me ride in, come at them from all four sides. Let’s try to surprise them.”
He cleared his throat and looked around at his ragtag group of volunteers. None of them knew much about fighting a gang of cutthroats, but he knew each one would do his very best. He just hoped no one would be injured. . .or worse yet, killed.
“From what Clint Norton told us, they’re riding from north to south. He said they’ve already hit the Baileys’, the Carters’, and the Baxters’ places. All three were on fire, and from the smell of things, so is the MacGregor house. We have no idea where any of the families are or if they’re even alive. Keep an eye out for them; they may have escaped on foot and be in the woods somewhere.”
“Smoke’s getting stronger, Deputy Piper,” Jake Murdock shouted from behind him.
“I know. We’re getting close. Be careful. These outlaws are desperate and incredibly stupid to think they can get away with something like this. They’ll probably shoot at anything that moves. More than likely, they’ve been drinking, and their brains aren’t functioning too well. I don’t want to have to take any of you men back to your family strapped across your horse’s back. If the gang is still there, take cover. Don’t be an open target.”
His men nodded solemnly.
When Zach Nance and the other men broke off and headed toward the north, Stone and his group headed east, staying close to the edge of the creek. John rode directly behind him. The smoke became strong enough to gag them. As they rounded the top of a slight mound, they could see flames shooting into the sky.
Stone turned and told his men, “The family may still be in the house! Watch for them!”
In the north, he could see Zach Nance and those who rode with him. Jake Murdock and his men were to the west. Everyone was in place. He gave the signal, and they rode in.
It was difficult, despite the light from the burning home, to distinguish which men were theirs and which were the outlaws. Stone spotted Mrs. MacGregor and her three children huddled behind a broken-down wagon. “John, take them into the woods where they’ll be safe! And stay with them!”
John shouted back, “I’ll take them, but I’m coming back!”
“That’s an order, Mr. Baker! I’ll cover you. Go!”
Covering John, Stone watched until he was sure the MacGregor family was safely deposited in the woods, then rode in to Zach Nance’s side as bullets whizzed through the air. “We found MacGregor’s family! But he wasn’t with them! Have you seen him yet?” he shouted above the noise.
“We think he’s still inside, but I haven’t been able to get near the house,” the man shouted back. “They must’ve tied him up or taken him! I’m sure he’d have come out on his own by now!”
Stone blinked hard. “That, or he’s dead. I’m going in after him.”
“No!” Nance shouted with a wave of his hand. “It’s not safe. You’ll never make it! There’re more of these guys than we thought!”
“Cover me!” Stone shouted back as he rode Blackie straight across the yard toward the burning cabin. As he leaped from the horse’s back, he slapped him across the rump to send him on his way, then threw himself into the doorway of the burning house.
“MacGregor, are you here? Where are you?” he called out.
Nothing.
“MacGregor, can you hear me?” he shouted even louder, intent on finding the man.
Still, no answer.
Stone dropped to the floor and began to crawl around, searching with his hands through the smoke and flames. He was just about to give up when he heard a slight moan. Moving quickly toward the sound, he found Calvin MacGregor. His hands were tied behind his back, a deep gash crossed his arm, and he was nearly to the point of unconsciousness. “Hang on! I’ll get you out of here!”
Stone cut the ropes and dragged the man to the door, then whistled for Blackie. The obedient horse darted back across the yard. “Good boy, Blackie!” He lifted the man and draped him across the saddle, hoping he’d stay put. Then, once more, he slapped the horse’s rump. Stone took off toward the trees as a shot whizzed by his face, narrowly missing him. A second shot crackled and whizzed past him, this time grazing his forehead and causing him to lose hold of his gun as he dove for the shelter of the woodpile.
As Stone wiped away the blood from his face, he heard someone calling for help on the opposite side of the woodpile. John and one of the outlaws were struggling. The man had a headlock on John, with the tip of his knife pressing against John’s throat.
Stone leaped into the air and thrust his body across the man, forcing him to release his hold on John.
“Get out of here!” Stone shouted at John as he fought to get the upper hand.
John hesitated. “It’s my battle!”
“Go! That’s an order!”
With Stone’s attention momentarily diverted, the man seized the moment and rammed the knife’s point deep into Stone’s shoulder. Excruciating pain exploded in Stone’s body. Blood gushed forth like an untamed river and soaked his shirt.
As the man scurried away, a second member of the gang flung himself on Stone, pinning him to the ground. In pain, but with anger as his catalyst, Stone wrapped his good arm tightly about the man’s neck and squeezed, remembering what had happened to Bailey and the others.
“That’s the man who shot and killed Homer Bailey!” John screamed out over the fracas. “He bragged about it!”
Stone stared at his assailant, then tightened his grip on the man’s throat even more until he began to gasp for air.
As they struggled, the outlaw was able to pull one arm free. He poked his fat finger into Stone’s eye. For a brief moment, Stone lessened his grip long enough for the outlaw to become the aggressor as the two wrestled on the ground.
He and the man were evenly matched, Stone realized all too quickly. With the wound in his shoulder, he feared he might end up the loser. But to him, losing his own life was better than losing John’s. John’s family needed him. Calling upon every ounce of strength he had left, Stone flipped the man over on his side and lay on top of him, hoping to be able to get in one good punch that would render the man helpless.
But as quick as a bolt of lightning, his assailant pulled a revolver from beneath his belt and pointed it at Stone’s gut. “Die, Fool!”
Stone froze. Could he possibly move fast enough to get control of the gun before the man pulled the trigger? Or would this be the end of him? If he did nothing, the man would shoot him. He had nothing to lose. He had to take a final chance. Stone grabbed the gun’s barrel. By sheer force and a will to live, he worked to turn it away from himself.
Boom!
The gun went off.
One man fell limply to the ground.
Dead.
Stone lay pinned to the cool ground, the outlaw draped across him. With one final burst of energy, he shoved the man’s heavy body off and struggled to his feet, his head spinning.
“I’ve got you.” John tugged Stone’s good arm around his neck and dragged him to the safety of the trees where the MacGregor family huddled together. He placed Stone on the ground and tended to his wounded shoulder as best he could. “I need to get you to Doc Meeker. That knife went in pretty deep, and your head doesn’t look much better.”
“Can’t go,” Stone muttered almost incoherently as he fought against John’s restraint and tried to stand. “Need to get my gu—” He fell back against his friend’s chest.
“Hold your fire!” Zach Nance’s voice boomed out loudly enough for everyone to hear. “We got them!”
Everything went silent except for the crackling sounds of the burning remains of the MacGregor home. The outlaws’ robbing and killing spree had c
ome to an end.
“It’s over,” John said with a deep sigh of relief as he leaned over Stone. “I’ll look for your gun, then we can go home.”
Stone sucked in a gasp of air. With great effort, he grasped at John’s sleeve and again tried to pull himself up. “He’s—he’s dead, isn’t he?”
“Yes, but he’s the one who pulled the trigger. You were only defending yourself. He would’ve killed you.”
“I—never—never wanted him to die,” Stone whispered faintly just before he lost consciousness.
❧
Juliette sat up in bed, wakened by the sound of horses’ hooves thundering down Main Street. She grabbed her robe and ran down the stairs. By the time she reached the street, Zach Nance and some of the other men were pulling the outlaws off their horses, their hands tied behind their backs. Mr. Nance was shouting angrily at them and shoving them toward the general store. “Get Ward,” he told the man called Smith. “We’ll hold them in his store until we can get them to the calaboose.”
She scoured the crowd for her father. At first, she couldn’t spot him. Then she caught sight of him pulling a man from a horse, and the man’s shirt was soaked with blood.
Her father’s frightened voice echoed through the street. “Juliette, come quickly! Stone’s been knifed!”
Juliette rushed to her father’s side and assisted him in lowering Stone from Blackie’s back. “Is he—”
“No, but he needs help. Go get Doc Meeker. Quick!”
“I’m here.”
Juliette turned to find Doc Meeker, bag in hand, rushing to their side. “I heard the group riding into town and thought I might be needed. How bad is he?”
“Pretty bad, I’m afraid,” John admitted as he pulled a big handkerchief from his pocket and wiped at Stone’s brow. “Got knifed in the shoulder, and he’s got a head wound too. The guy was aiming to kill him. He’s lost a lot of blood.”
“Can we get him into the hotel? I need light and water.”
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