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That s what you wanted to hear?
She draped her arms around his neck. Yes.
Still half dazed, he wrapped his around her waist. But I ve always
felt
Let it go, Paul, Jake said. You ll never win.
Laughing, he tightened his hold. I ve already won. I m holding my
prize.
Looks like we ll be finding a preacher in Austin, Grace said.
Belle pulled back. Considering how much trouble everyone went
to getting us together, I don t think it would be wise to cheat them out
of a wedding.
Not unless we want them planning our children. And I think Belle
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and I both agree we d like to wait a little while for children. Right now
I can t stand the thought of her going through all that pain just to bear a
child of mine.
Tears she thought gone flooded in once again. Oh, Paul.
Did I say something right again?
Yes, she said with a laugh.
Then I think I ll quit talking while I m ahead.
* * *
Wagons from the Tanner ranch waited in Austin to carry them on
the final leg of the journey back to Cottonwood Bend. Belle felt sorry
for Dan and Hattie. She was certain they were used to far better
accommodations. Neither of them uttered a single word of complaint.
They truly seemed happy just to be with their son again. Paul s
affection toward them was genuine but reserved. Belle didn t blame
him. The years of separation had taken a toll on his heart, even if they
were supposed to have been for his benefit. It would take time to mend
the rift between them. Thankfully, Dan and Hattie knew that and didn t
press too hard.
Darkness was upon them by the time they reached town. Jake
scissored the reins back, coming to a pinpoint stop in front of the gate
to the boarding house. Lanterns gleamed from the bottom windows. A
shadow shifted on the front porch.
They re here, Cal shouted toward the house, then headed their
way.
Paul jumped down. Where s Aaron Fredericks?
Left the day you did. Why?
I ll tell you later. He gave Belle a hand down. These are the rest
of your in-laws.
Cal passed his gaze over the wagons. I m sure they re plumb tired
and not interested in socializing. Pru and Susannah have promised to
make their hellos short so you Tanners can get on home. But I expect
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they ll be by as soon as the morning allows.
We appreciate that, Grace said. It s been a long trip. She
accepted Jake s help down just as their sisters rushed down the walk.
While the men unloaded the trunks and satchels, the sisters had a quick
visit. Then Grace hugged them all in turn and let Jake swing her back
onto the seat.
They had barely driven away when Sid and Pammy strolled down
the middle of the street, her arm linked through his. Their heads were
bent in conversation. Every so often her giggle and his chuckle echoed
off each other.
They ve been sparking all over the place, Cal said. He s over at
her parents house every night for supper. And every night they take a
walk down the street afterward.
Pru clucked her tongue. It s boastful.
He frowned. It s dangerous. As if to prove his point, Cal jerked
his head toward the couple. Mark Hanson kept pace not more than
twenty feet behind. A pistol was strapped to his hips.
He does this every night? Paul asked.
Yep, and Sid just keeps baiting him. Cal slowly shook his head.
It s trouble waiting to happen.
Paul s gaze followed the trio down the boardwalk. Someone s got
to reason with him.
I guess you re as welcome to try as the next person, Cal said. He
hasn t been doing much listening. Come on, everyone, I ve got supper
on the stove waiting for all of you.
Hattie looked him up and down. You cooked?
Cal smirked. I m a changed man, Dr. Harrington.
Somehow I doubt that.
We might have bigger trouble brewing than our lovers triangle,
Cal said as Pru led the Harringtons inside. He waited until the door
closed behind him then continued. Brady got word the Jessops are still
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on the loose. Talk is they re looking to spring Frank, so I m guessing
they don t know he s dead.
But it also means they ll be headed straight for Cottonwood
Bend, Paul said.
Yep. Cal shoved his fingertips in his pockets. Brady s been
debating on whether or not to ask for more ranger protection. He s
afraid doing so will bring attention our way.
Belle found herself nodding with Paul.
Retha s in all her states. Scared to bits they ll come charging into
town, Cal said. Pru s managed to keep her busy with the younguns.
She keeps her wits together when they re around. Most of the men in
town are armed and on alert. Only ones who have their heads up their
ass are those two. He jerked his head toward Sid and Mark.
Let me see if I can talk some sense into one of them, Paul said.
It won t be Sid, I can tell you that. He s laughed off warnings from
everyone even his brother.
And Mark was a hothead and a braggart. The only thing that made
him halfway decent of late was him thinking he had Pammy. Her
rejection cut deep into his pride. Mark was itching for revenge. All the
talking in the world wouldn t change that. The sad part was, even if
Mark did manage to win back any part of Pammy s affections, he d see
she suffered the rest of her life for her betrayal.
Well, I ve got to try anyway, Paul said.
Cal shrugged. I ll be inside. If I watch, I ll just get mad again and
that won t help anything. Coming, Belle?
I ll wait for Paul and be right in. If he failed with Mark, maybe
she could reason with Pammy.
I won t be long& Mark, wait up.
Belle leaned against the gate while he trotted across the street. Mark
looked up at Paul, hand on his pistol.
Aw, leave him alone, Reverend. Sid snickered. I kinda like
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having the little dog follow us around.
Pammy smothered a giggle behind her hand.
Everything turned slow, like a dream gone bad. Mark whirled
around on the couple. A shot blasted through the night. Pammy
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