Loving an Outlaw

by Kristen Iten

  Abigail’s lips thinned. She spoke her words slow and deliberately, fighting against the anger churning in her stomach. “Jake would be free, that’s what good it would do,” she said.

  “Yes, but where’s the drama? Where’s the interest? But imagine if I could walk into a trial in progress and get Jake released in front of everyone, now that would really be something.”

  Carson appeared to rehearse the scene on the riverbank. He mouthed a speech, complete with grand, sweeping gestures of his arms. The choreography was impeccable. His eyes twinkled when he looked over his shoulder at his assistant.

  “That’s the way to go. Don’t you think, Titus?”

  “Definitely. The bigger impact we can make, the better. If you play it right, this could be in all of the papers across Texas. You’ll be an instant hero.” The small man had a silly grin plastered on his face. He’s just as bad as Carson.

  Sweet Creek came into view only a few minutes after they had gotten underway again. Abigail’s heart pounded in her chest. She clutched her skirt, biting her bottom lip. Carson stole a glance in her direction and asked his team for a little more speed.

  “It won’t be long now, Miss Dodd.” He gave her a reassuring look and a genuine smile. Abigail liked this Carson Wagoner. It was candidate Carson that she was not all that fond of.

  Miss Rosie paced the street in front of the saloon. Her hand clamped down on the broach that pinned a delicate collar in place around her slender neck. Her face lit up when she saw Abigail approaching in the carriage. She waved her arm franticly to hurry them along.

  “You’ve got to get in there. Jake is on trial now. I had to wait out here, couldn’t bear to watch. Hurry,” she said.

  Carson pulled the rig up to the saloon and jumped to the ground. He captured Miss Rosie’s eyes and took her by the hand. “Don’t worry, ma’am. I’ve come to set things right.”

  “They’re right in there.” Rosie pointed at the door of the saloon.

  “Thank you, kind lady.” Rosie’s cheeks flushed as he gave a slight bow. “I hope we meet again.”

  Abigail couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the smile he flashed in Miss Rosie’s direction.

  Carson, Abigail, and Titus stood at the saloon doors. Carson locked eyes with Titus and nodded before shoving his way into the crowd. Titus took Abigail by the hand and pulled her along.

  “Come on,” he said, “I don’t want to miss this. Just wait until you see him in action.”

  Jake squared his shoulders and walked into the crowded saloon with Micah at his side. The two men strode up to the table from which Judge Humphrey served up justice. His chest tightened after surveying the old gentleman’s unreadable face. Micah gave Jake’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping to the side.

  The old judge didn’t say a word. He held his pocket watch at arm’s length and looked down his nose at the tiny hands making their way around the face. He heaved a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose before looking through some paperwork in front of him.

  Jake suddenly felt thirstier than he had ever felt in his life. His tongue clung to the roof of his dry mouth. He had made peace with his fate back in the jail cell, but that didn’t mean that this was going to be easy. He set his jaw and pressed his lips together, ready to face his future.

  Judge Humphrey cleared his throat. “Did you take the horse, son?”

  Jake rolled his shoulders and wet his lips. He spoke in a clear, steady voice. “Yes, sir. I did.”

  “But he had it brought back when he was done borrowing it,” said Micah.

  Judge Humphrey looked at Micah through a tangled white brow. “A repentant thief is still a thief,” he said. “And for future reference, Sheriff Lagrange, when I need your testimony, I’ll ask for it.”

  A fresh murmur ran through the crowd. Jake turned to see what was happening, and saw a dark haired man pushing his way to the front of the assemblage with arms raised above his head. “Stop the proceedings,” he called. “This miscarriage of justice must end now!”

  Jake’s heart leapt into his throat. Abby!

  Judge Humphrey’s gavel slammed into the table several times before Carson Wagoner reached the front.

  “Your Honor,” he said, “I beg your pardon.” He turned to face the crowd with his hand on his heart, still addressing the judge. “Having practiced the law for many years myself, I know that this is highly irregular, but I beg the court’s indulgence.”

  Jake hardly took note of what the man said. He was busy scanning the crowd behind him, hoping to catch a glimpse of Abigail.

  “Well, everyone else in this one-horse town has had their say today, so why not you, too?” The judge clasped his hands in front of his face and rested his chin on bony knuckles. The sarcastic smile plastered on his face was lost to none but Carson, who immediately continued his monologue.

  “Your Honor, ladies, and gentlemen of Sweet Creek, I stand before you a humbled man.” Carson closed his eyes and paused for a moment before continuing. “This young man was unjustly accused of a crime, and my blood kin is to blame for it.”

  I knew it! Abby where are you? Jake turned around, searching for the only face that mattered to him.

  “Mr. Morgan,” Judge Humphrey said, “please let us know if these proceedings are too dull for your sensibilities.” The insincerity of the judge’s statement was palpable.

  Jake snapped back around. “Sorry, sir.”

  “If I may continue?” said Carson. “My father, the late Mr. Wagoner, had little use for compassion; that is a well-known fact. Three years ago, this boy found himself in need. I am ashamed to say that my father not only turned his back on him, he turned him into a fugitive from the law.”

  The judge’s gavel quieted the crowd’s outburst.

  Carson laid a hand on his heart. “I agree with all of you. It was a terrible thing to do. The day my father died, I not only inherited his ranch, I inherited his shame.” Carson’s chin quivered ever so slightly as he bowed his head to his chest.

  “Well, my father’s blood may flow in my veins, but something else flows there as well.” His voice dripped with passion as he pounded his chest with a clenched fist. “A burning desire to see justice for all men everywhere.”

  Jake felt the atmosphere of the saloon come to life. A spark of hope ignited deep within him.

  Carson removed his jacket, threw it to the ground, and loosened his collar. With a single finger wagging in the air, he said, “And when I am elected the next Senator of this great state of Texas, I will not rest until there truly is liberty and justice for all.” Cheers filled the crowded room.

  Carson slapped the judge’s makeshift bench and stared at the old man. With a grand sweeping motion of his arm, he turned his head toward the crowd and cried out in a loud voice, “Your Honor, this young man must be released!” Another round of cheers erupted from the crowd.

  Jake could hardly believe what he was hearing. It was like something out of a dream.

  “Son, the offense was committed against your ranch,” said the judge. “If you didn’t want this boy to hang, all you had to do was say the word.”

  Carson opened his mouth to speak, but the judge raised his hand to silence him. “Let’s make this quick. I haven’t had my supper yet. You can campaign for office on your own time,” he said.

  A grunt escaped Judge Humphrey’s lips as he pushed his hulking frame to a standing position.

  “Case dismissed,” he said. “Jake Morgan, you’re a free man.” The gavel sounded one final time in the saloon that day.

  A free man. The words resonated deep within Jake. His jaw hung slack as men all around shook his hand and slapped his back in congratulations.

  His head swam in a confusing jumble of emotions until his eyes fell on a beautiful, young woman standing only a few feet away. Her radiant smile brought everything into focus. He closed the gap between them with one swift motion and scooped her off her feet.

  Jake’s skin tingled at Abigail’s touc
h when she wrapped her arms around his neck. He spun her around and planted a fiery kiss on her lips that sent a jolt down his spine. The world around them faded away, as the warmth of their kiss radiated throughout his body. For the first time since they met, he knew their future was certain.

  “You are one amazing woman, Miss Abigail Dodd,” he said.

  “She most certainly is,” said Carson. “She’s a rare one, that’s for sure.”

  The sound of Carson’s voice pulled Jake out of the moment he was sharing with Abigail. He set her down and reached out to shake Carson’s hand. “I owe you a lot, Mister,” he said.

  “It was all that young lady right there.” Carson looked at Abigail. He pulled Jake closer, inclining his head to speak in confidence. “Honestly, I can’t thank you enough for getting yourself arrested. It could not have happened at a better time for me.” He released Jake’s hand and flashed his perfect smile.

  Confusion was written all over Jake’s face.

  Abigail squeezed his arm. “I’ll explain later,” she said.

  Titus could not contain himself any longer. “That was spot on, Carson.” He slapped the senate hopeful on the back. “I’m going to have a whole new set of fliers made up. ‘A vote for Wagoner is a vote for justice.’ ‘Wagoner won’t stop until the job is done. Let him go to work for you.’ It’s poetry, I tell you.”

  Miss Rosie walked up and wrapped Jake in a warm embrace. “I’m just overjoyed,” she said, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.

  “There’s the lovely creature that pointed us in the right direction,” Carson said with another one of his half bows. “To whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?”

  “Miss Rosie Porter.” Rosie blushed under his intense gaze for the second time.

  “My dear Rose, would you be so kind as to show me and my associate to the boarding house here in town? We are quite done in from all of our travels.”

  “Come right this way,” said Rosie. “I own the boarding house. I’ll have you settled in no time.”

  “You truly are an angel of mercy. Where you lead, I follow.”

  Abigail turned to Jake, gazing into his eyes. “Now, where were we?”

  Chapter 24

  The crowd thinned out quickly as everyone headed their separate ways for the evening meal. Jake took Abigail by the hand and led her out of the saloon. He let out a yell when he stepped out into the light.

  “I’ve got so much pent up energy I feel like running. You up for it, Abby?”

  Abigail squeezed his hand and tugged him forward. “Let’s go,” she said. They didn’t stop running until they found themselves in a wide open field outside of town. Abigail collapsed into a contented heap among the tall grasses and wild flowers.

  “This place reminds me of the field of flowers we saw on our way here,” she said.

  Jake stooped over and picked a handful of bluebells. Several velvety blooms decorated tiny branches at the end of a single stalk. Deep blue-purple petals surrounded the brilliant yellow center of each small flower.

  “I meant what I said that day. You should always be surrounded by flowers.” He handed her the bouquet and sat next to her. “You saved my life, you know.”

  “Just returning the favor.” Abigail breathed in the sweet fragrance of the flowers.

  “Abigail, I’ve been on the run for so long. I don’t have anything to offer but myself.” He massaged the back of his neck.

  “What are you saying?” Abigail laid the flowers in her lap, taking hold of Jake’s hand.

  “I want to give you the world. I would if I could, but everything I own can fit in a pack behind my saddle. You deserve …”

  Abigail rose to her knees and took Jake’s face in her hands. “I deserve a good man.” She leaned in so close that Jake could see tiny flecks of gold swimming in the field of green surrounding her pupils. “I deserve to love and be loved.” She rested her forehead against his. “That would mean the world to me.”

  Jake wrapped his arms around her waist and placed a soft kiss on her temple.

  “If we’re going to do this, we need to do it right,” he said. He stood and helped Abigail to her feet. He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “How do I look?”

  Abigail’s stomach fluttered when she looked him over. “You look perfect.”

  “I don’t know,” he said. He jutted his chin out and gave it a good scratch. “What is this? Three-day-old scruff?”

  Abigail’s bubbly laughter rippled through the air. “I like it.”

  Jake became serious. “All right then,” he said dropping to one knee.

  Abigail shivered at the sudden sensation of a thousand tiny feathers tickling her insides. Her round eyes shined with pure joy as she stood breathless before the man she loved.

  Jake took her trembling hand in his. “Miss Abigail Dodd, would you do me the immense pleasure of becoming my wife?”

  Abigail dove at him and knocked him onto his backside, smothering him in a warm embrace. Jake sputtered and pulled a lock of her hair out of his mouth.

  “I guess I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Abigail stood alone in the tall grasses that surrounded her home, a shawl draped over her shoulders. The north winds had begun to blow over the hill country, bringing with it the crisp air of late fall. She hugged a small book to her chest as she looked out over the pastures in front of her.

  She knelt down and opened the book in her lap. A dried flower fell from its pages. Once upon a time its petals had been a rich red tipped with yellow. This flower held a special place in her heart. It was the first flower Jake had ever given her. She crushed it in her hand, scattering the dried seeds around her.

  “There you are,” said Jake. His boots crunched in the brown grass. “I’ve been looking for you.”

  “I needed some fresh air and decided to spread these seeds. I don’t know if they’re still considered wildflowers if I plant them, but that’s fine with me.” Her gentle laugh was carried off by a strong, sudden gust of wind.

  Jake helped Abigail to her feet. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “How are you feeling?”

  Abigail blew a long breath from pursed lips. “Just as sick as ever,” she said. “But Miss Rosie says that’s a good sign. The fresh air helps.”

  Jake leaned down and spoke softly in her ear. “Do you remember that day in town after we had come back from seeing this place for the first time? You had one of those fluffy seeds stuck in your hair, and you gave me your wish.”

  “I do.” The warmth of his embrace did more to warm her than any shawl ever could. “You’ve always been able to make me smile, even when I’m feeling my lowest.” She rested her arms on top of his.

  “This is what I wished for,” said Jake. “All of it. You, me, a home …” Jake turned Abigail around to face him. His large hands came to rest on either side of her stomach as he knelt and kissed it. “… and this little one right here.”

  Abigail ran her hand over Jake’s sandy brown waves, a well of contentment bubbling up from deep within her soul. “That lone star doesn’t seem so lonesome anymore,” she said.

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  Loving a Lawman Sample

  Rosie stood on her front porch, fidgeting with the ruffled apron tied around her trim waist. Fine lines shown at the corners of her narrowed eyes as she struggled against the bright sunlight of a clear October afternoon. Her eyes darted down the street, searching for a particular long legged man who happened by this time every day.

  At the end of the porch, a lazy rocking chair sat on either side of an overturned barrel topped with a square of red gingham fabric. A pitcher of sweet mint tea flanked by two tall glasses sat next to a plate heaped with pecan tarts. Everything was ready.

  Business had been good at the boardinghouse since a distinguished guest had taken up residence a few months ago. There was plenty
of money to go around these days—enough to splurge on sweet treats for her guests.

  Her stomach fluttered when she caught sight of Micah Lagrange’s long, lean frame heading her way. She secretly chided herself. Honestly, a forty-three-year-old woman acting like a schoolgirl. One final glance in the large picture window behind her revealed not a single curl out of place.

  “Miss Rosie,” he said, standing at the base of the steps leading to the porch.

  The deep bass timbre of the tall man’s voice caused Rosie’s pulse to quicken. He removed a sun-bleached hat and smoothed his palm over rust-colored hair. His unruly waves bounced right back into their unkempt place as soon as his hand returned to his side.

  “I was just fixin’ to have my afternoon tea. Would you care to join me, Sheriff?”

  The twinkle in Micah’s eyes told Rosie he knew she had prepared the afternoon snack for the two of them as usual. She glanced over at the table setting for two, and blushed ever so faintly at the silliness of her pretense.

  “I’d be happy to, ma’am. It’s been a long, thirsty afternoon on the trail.” His chiseled features melted into a gentle smile, deepening the creases that years of hard riding in the sun had created. It sent honey-like warmth into Rosie’s stomach that radiated throughout her body.

  The wood beneath his feet creaked as he crossed the porch, spurs jingling with each step he took toward his usual seat.

  Rosie pulled a handkerchief trimmed with delicate lace out of her sleeve, dabbing it down the length of her neck. A firm tug on the soft, pink bodice of her second-best dress straightened out the few wrinkles that had settled in. She took a deep breath and followed Micah to the end of the porch.

  “Just set yourself down, and I’ll pour the tea.” Rosie filled Micah’s glass with her famous brew and held the cup out to him. His fingertips brushed hers as he took hold of the glass, sending a wave of goose bumps up her arm. The large mustache overhanging his mouth shifted. Rosie could only imagine the smile that must have been on his hidden lips.