Hayden shook his head. “I don’t think he’ll hang you, being the preacher’s daughter and all.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Do you think I’ll go to jail for long?”
He couldn’t resist her and smiled. “I’m sure we can work out a deal. I’d hate to have to court you in jail, but if I have to, it’s what I’ll do.”
She nodded. “What have I done? I have made a mess out of so many people’s lives.”
Hayden put a hand under her chin and tilted her head up to look at him. “I would have to say the Lord is working many things out to good. I’ve spent all my life looking for you. Now that I found you, nothing is going to come between us.”
Rand stood. “I think the sooner we go the better. Get the money back to the bank.” He looked at her with a wry grin. “And the sheriff’s horse back to him.” He winced when he bent to pick up his gun and strap it on. “Let’s go. Cole, you and Greg saddle the horses.”
The preacher went to his daughter and took her aside, leaving Hayden to watch the prisoners.
His father walked to him. “I’m kind of glad that gal came to our cave and got this all started. I’m sorry for some of the hard things I said to you. You were right. I wasn’t the kind of father that Greg and Cole needed. Thanks, son.”
Hayden shook his father’s hand. “We’ll all be starting a new life. I have money to buy a start on a ranch. Could use you and Cole and Greg to help out if you want.”
His father looked at Penelope. “I don’t know. Seems like you two will be starting out on your own. Kind of reminds me of your mother and me. I think I’d rather give you and her a chance to get to know one another. Me and your brothers will find something to do.”
“All right. But the offer stands. Family is important.”
Rand went to the door and then called out. “Let’s go. Horses are ready. Greg and Cole, if you’d take the reins to one of the outlaws. I’ll take Wes. If they move wrong, shoot them.” He glanced at the preacher. “In the arm.”
Smiling, Rand went outside and mounted his horse.
Hayden helped Penelope onto her horse.
The preacher rode up beside them. “I think I’ll help Rand with his prisoner. His side has to hurt him some. See that you get my daughter safely back to town.”
Hayden grinned. “You can be sure of it.” He led the way and made sure Penelope followed him.
Chapter 15
Penelope rode back to town as if she were in a dream. Finally, God had worked things out to good for her with Hayden. She’d left Duston with no thought of having a man to love and come home with a man so wonderful that she could not have imagined him.
She glanced at her beau. Just the idea felt good saying. He was a good man through and through. Cared for his family. Took care of her. She sighed. She was so blessed. Perhaps that was what had been missing in her life to make her so high and mighty. She’d not recognized how blessed she’d been her entire life.
As they rode down the main street of Duston, she looked at the people. Those she’d known for years but never really cared about. Now, as she looked at them, she saw them as real people to be cared for. Not pointed at to show their flaws. Somehow, her entire outlook had changed.
The first stop was her home. Mama came running out and as soon as she dismounted Penelope was enveloped in a big hug by her mother followed by all of her siblings. Love warmed her heart, and she felt it go out to each of her brothers and sisters.
Angela whispered in her ear. “What happened because you look different?” Angela glanced at Hayden and then back at her. “Is he what happened?”
Penelope nodded just as Hayden came to her side. “Mrs. Wyler, I’ve already asked Preacher Wyler, but may I have permission to court your daughter, Penelope?”
Mother gasped. “Why yes. Hayden Burkett? Is that you? I haven’t seen you in years.”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s been a long time.”
“It was right before you went to war. The dreadful thing. We’d just moved here to Duston. Your mother was such a delightful woman. I was so sorry at her passing.” Mother tenderly touched Hayden’s shoulder. “We did what we could for her.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Thank you.”
Mother hugged Hayden and then grabbed Penelope in her arms. “I am so happy for you. The both of you.” Mother smiled them. “I told you things would work out for good.”
Penelope grinned. “Yes, Mama. They sure did.”
Hayden tapped her on the shoulder. “We better go and see the sheriff gets his horse back.”
“Bye Mama. We’ll be back when we can.” Penelope’s smile slipped some as she wondered what Sheriff Grady Harper would do to her for borrowing his horse. Hayden didn’t look too worried. She braced herself and took on Mama’s words. Things would work out.
***
Rand and the Burketts ushered the outlaws back to town. As they rode down the street, people came out to look and point. Almost like the old days when he towed back men wanted for awful crimes.
He straightened his shoulders. Sometimes the people had been as angry at him as the outlaws. Rand never understood that. As a bounty hunter, he could go past jurisdictions and catch the criminals where sheriffs were bound with limits. Well, he didn’t apologize back then, and he wasn’t about to start now.
“Let’s get them in jail first. I’ll take the lockbox.” Rand took the box from the back of Ray’s horse and set it by the post. “Cole, go to the general store and get another lock and chain for this box.”
“Yes, sir.” Cole galloped his horse to the store.
Rand nodded to the rest of the Burketts. “Help me get them in jail.” Rand noticed Grady hadn’t come out. Something was wrong. He opened the door and saw Grady laying on his cot, his shoulder bandaged.
Grady struggled to sit. “Rand, good to see you. Those outlaws came all right. Took the money. Shot up the town. No one was killed thank the Lord.”
Rand put a hand up. “Stay put. We caught them.” He called back outside the door. “Bring them in.”
Grady relaxed. “Good job. Did you get the money?”
With a grin, Rand nodded. “The stinking money is back in its box, and I sent Cole to get a chain and lock.”
“You got the Burketts, too.”
Rand glanced at Bob. “No, they came in on their own. Want to make things right. Without them, we’d have never caught the outlaws.
Concern wrinkled Grady’s brow. “The girl?”
“She’s fine. She should be here any minute to tell you all about it.”
Grady nodded. “Good. I’ve been praying for her. I don’t like it when my people are endangered.” He stared at Rand. “You, everything all right? You look different. Something about your eyes.”
Rand half-grinned. “Maybe sending that preacher along with me, like you didn’t know, had some influence on me. Maybe it was his prayers, but whatever it was, I’ve got a peace I haven’t known in a long time.”
“I’m glad Rand. Real glad.” Grady winced. “I do have a favor to ask.” He grinned. “Now, that you’ve joined civilization again, I need someone to look after the town until I get better. Doc said maybe a month.”
Bob Burkett put a hand on Rand’s shoulder. “Looks like the Good Lord is a working on all of us. Take it, son. You’re a good man.”
Rand looked at Bob and saw another man who was changing his life for the better. Rand nodded. “I’ll look after the town that is if they’ll have me.”
Grady nodded. “They will. Give them a chance. This is a good town with good people. And same for you Burketts. The people always liked you. No more shenanigans though. I think the bank will forgive your sons the skunk caper because I don’t think we’d have gotten that money back if it hadn’t stunk so bad.”
Rand laughed. “You got that right. If there’s a reward for those outlaws, I think it should be split between the Burketts and the preacher. I don’t need any money.”
“That’s generous, Rand.” Grady grimaced at his wo
und. “But I will do just as you say. Maybe it will be enough to get you and your boys a start on a ranch.”
Bob Burkett looked near tears. “You think that would be possible?”
“I think so.” Grady pointed to his desk. “Flyers are on my desk. We’ll send them in, and you should get the money within the month.”
More footsteps signaled new arrivals. Rand looked and saw Hayden, the preacher, and Penelope.
Penelope pushed her way between her father and Hayden. “Sheriff, I have to confess. I added to the Burkett’s note about kidnapping and ransom. They had nothing to do with it. All of that was my fault. And I took your horse.”
Grady pushed himself up and looked at her sternly. “Well, young lady. I can forgive you, but the law and justice have to be met. I’d say a month of cleaning the jail and bringing food to my prisoners ought to pay for your crimes.”
Penelope put her hands together. “No jail time? You won’t hang me?”
“Not this time. Next time you do such a thing, maybe.” He laughed and then winced.
Rand ushered the crowd out of the jail. “As acting deputy, I’m clearing the room so the sheriff can get back to his duties sooner than later.”
“Rand, put that deputy badge on. I want the folks to know who you are.” Grady winked.
Reluctantly, Rand fished through the top drawer and pulled out a badge. He shined it on his jacket and then pinned it on his shirt. “How’s that look?”
Grady smiled. “Like it belongs there. I know you like your roses, but really Rand, a man like you belongs behind a badge not a shovel.”
“Maybe you’re right, Grady. I’ll be back as soon as I take care of the horses.” Rand left the sheriff.
Outside, the preacher shook his hand. “Am I going to see you in church Sunday?”
Rand looked at him. Saw nothing but acceptance and kindness. “Maybe.”
“That’s good enough for me. If you want to talk, I’m always available to you, Rand. You know, the Lord equips us with different gifts. You’re a warrior for good, Rand. A protector of the faithful. I’ve always seen that in you. I’ll look for you Sunday.”
“Thanks Preacher Wyler. I might just surprise you.”
With a smile, the preacher left.
Somehow, Rand believed that preacher already knew he’d see him at church Sunday.
Chapter 16
Penelope could hardly wait for dinner to be over. Hayden sat across the table from her, smiling at her with such a tender look that she could just melt. She’d never felt this way. Never. And she loved every minute of it.
Father excused them from the table.
She bolted up and met Hayden in the parlor. “It’s a nice night for a walk.”
He looked at her. “It’s freezing. Might even snow.”
“We have coats and gloves.”
He pulled a hat from the peg by the door. “And hats. Just for a little. I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Lead the way.”
Taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow, Hayden walked her into the yard. “Where to?”
It was bitterly cold. “Let’s keep walking. We might freeze if we stop.”
He laughed. “Penelope these last three months have been wonderful. I hate to leave you at night.” He led her to the bench under the tree, wiped off the leaves and debris, and sat down, pulling her beside him.
“I love you, Hayden. Truly love you more than I thought possible, and yet, I believe when we marry, I’ll find a whole new adventure in learning to love you more.”
He put a finger to her lips. Hayden stood, took her hand in his, and knelt. “Penelope, I love you more than life. More than the sun has light, or the oceans have water. Will you marry me?”
Snow began to fall. Large fluffy flakes that muted all the sound around them. She gazed into his eyes. “Yes. I want to love you as long as we both shall live.”
He kissed her. So tenderly. So full of love that Penelope thought she might never come back.
Hayden wiped snow from her face. “The reward came in for my family and your father. I’ll have enough to pay off that ranch I bought. The cabin is about done. I’d say in two weeks. Would you marry me then?”
“I’d marry you tonight.”
He laughed. “You would. But I know your mother wants a proper wedding for you, and your father wants to preside over it. I can’t wait, darling.”
She leaned against him. “I never dreamed I could be so happy. It was like all the love and joy was reserved for others. I was wrong. I am so happy.”
“You’ve come a long way Penelope.”
She sighed. “With you, I am always home and belong.”
“Let’s tell your parents.”
She laughed. “I’ll race you inside.” She took off at a run.
Hayden yelled after her. “I love you. You’re not getting away from me.”
In seconds, he had her and pulled her down to the ground. With snow all around them, they kissed again. She looked up into the sky and the falling snow. “Thank you, Lord. You do work all things to good.”
Epilogue
Penelope finished sweeping the floor. Texas dust somehow made its way into her cabin even with the windows and door shut. She’d been married two months now, and not a day went by where she wasn’t completely happy and in love with her husband.
Tonight, they’d invited his family over. The Burketts had a ranch and were working hard to make it a success. Most of the people in Duston had forgiven them and even chipped in to help them build a cabin.
The only one still not too happy with the Burketts was the banker. He complained that on a muggy day the building still smelled like skunk. They were all working hard, and with their ranches next to each other, they put their herd together.
Rand was still a deputy. Seems the growing town needed him, and the people respected and liked him. Rand had lost his surly attitude and several ladies of Duston turned their heads when he walked by. Penelope figured that maybe it wouldn’t be too long, and Rand might take that walk down the aisle of the church.
She grinned. Rand was a regular at church now. Grace Whitson was also smiling more. Seems with this spring, more and more people were coming alive.
As for herself, well, Penelope was so full of love she didn’t have time or the inclination to point her fingers in judgment anymore. In fact, Penelope now had more friends than she could count.
She looked over her ranch and at her husband fixing a fence. Tonight, she’d tell him. She was sure now. The doc had said the baby would come some time in December. She rubbed her stomach.
She couldn’t imagine the love they felt could grow any stronger, but somehow, she knew it would grow every day. She was loved, well-loved, and she loved well.
***
Author’s Note: Thank you for reading Penelope. I hope you enjoyed the story. She was a fun character to write. Although, she made me think about myself and how I look at others. I never know what those characters are going to do or say. I love to write stories and hope you enjoy them as well.
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Rand Ketcham Series ~
Lawfully Saved Book 1
Quest for Iris Book 2
Penelope Book 3
***Other series by Patricia PacJac Carroll that you might enjoy:***
Mail Order Brides of Hickory Stick Books 1-8
Brides of Black Horse Mesa Books 1-3
Montana Brides of Solomon's Valley Books 1-4
Mail Order Brides of Misfit Ranch Bluebonnet, Texas Books 1-3
Books by Patricia PacJac Carroll
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Penelope Page 10