Lou went to his truck and took out two large drug-filled duffel bags and gave them to Cantrell’s men. They took it to the truck and checked through it. They came back with a backpack and handed it over to Lou.
“Leave town tonight, Lou. I’ll deal with those two idiots myself,” Cantrell ordered coldly.
Lou nodded nervously and didn’t argue with his boss. “Okay, boss. I’m out of here. See you in Oklahoma.”
Jason gave the signal that they had enough evidence. Jason, Harrison, Ryan, and John came out of the trees. “DEA. Put your hands up, men.” They shouted. Lou immediately dropped the bag and put his hands up.
Ethan, Gabe, and Logan had their rifles trained on Cantrell and his two goons ready for trouble. Those three wouldn’t give up easily.
Cantrell looked at Jason with a smirk. “Well what do you know, my old pal, Wells. I should be surprised you followed me, but I’m not.”
Jason looked at Cantrell with determination in his eyes. “You’re not getting out of anything this time so save your breath and use your right to remain silent.”
One of Cantrell’s men took that moment to pull out his gun and fire at Jason, hitting him in the upper arm. Jason groaned and fell to the ground ducking for cover and Ryan immediately helped him get out of the way. John fired back and killed the man instantly but Cantrell and the other man started shooting back at John and Harrison.
Lou threw himself on the ground, covering his head. Logan quickly cuffed him and pulled him out of the way to sit behind a tree so he wouldn’t get hit by a stray bullet. Ethan and Gabe both fired at Cantrell and his man.
The gunfire only lasted a few seconds but it left Cantrell wounded and his two goons dead.
Harrison picked up Jason and inspected his wound. “You let yourself get shot to get all the attention from the ladies—as usual. Admit it, Wells.”
John shook his head playfully at Jason. “Yeah, what a sorry sap if that’s the only way you can get female attention.”
Jason looked at his two friends with mock anger and groaned. “Can you two get me some medical help before I bleed to death?” Harrison and John led him to the car as Jason complained about losing blood.
Ryan and Gabe picked Cantrell off the ground and handcuffed him. He had a gunshot to his leg and shoulder. “Come on, let’s get you patched up, then it’s off to jail for you, buddy. You picked the wrong town to start up your drug business.”
“You’ll never hold me. I’m more powerful than you think,” he shouted as they led him handcuffed to the car. “By the time my trial comes there won’t be any witnesses left to testify against me.”
“You’re only digging yourself deeper, so keep quiet, Cantrell,” Ethan warned and put him in the back of the car. “I’m not listening to your whining all the way to the station either, so shut up.”
Gabe and Logan laughed with relief. They put Lou in the car too, glad it was all over and the town was safe once again.
Chapter 15
With the drug ring busted and Cantrell and his buddies off to Chicago with Jason and John for trial, Appledale settled back into the quiet, peaceful town it was known for. Only the many stories that were passed through the gossipers remained. Steve and his friend Jimmy were followed around by many of the young ladies in town who wanted to hear the story of how they defended the sheriff’s wife. Harrison became an established citizen of Appledale, moving into Logan’s apartment building and being pursued by the Drama Queen Clique, which made the girls tease him a lot. But he took it in stride as he happily became part of the Appledale family.
Gabe and Karissa had decided on a simple wedding at the Golden House’s beautiful garden filled with colorful flowers and many green trees. Despite the wedding being organized hastily it turned out to be a perfect day. It was bright and sunny with a light breeze and perfect in Karissa’s mind. She had been waiting for this moment all of her life and felt overwhelmed with her many blessings.
Gabe’s mother, Sonya Wilson, helped Karissa fix her long white dress. Sonya had her black hair put up in a bun and wore a short pale green dress.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” she said, blinking back tears and hugging Karissa gently. “I wish you many years of happiness, and if my son gets out of hand I’m only a phone call away.”
Karissa hugged her soon-to-be mother-in-law with a smile. They had become good friends in the last week. Sonya was staying at Golden House. Karissa had stayed with her last night to get ready for her wedding day. She turned toward the mirror for one last look. She took a deep, calming breath and admired her long, simple white dress Liz had helped her pick out. It was made out of white satin, with a sweetheart neckline and short sleeves. She had pinned her hair up and wore a simple crown of yellow daisies.
The door opened and her sister came in the room and smiled with excitement. “Oh, Rissa, you look so wonderful in your dress. Gabe is a lucky man.”
Karissa smiled, hugging her sister. “We’re both lucky to have found each other again. Are we ready? I’m feeling anxious and nervous and scared and—”
Casey laughed, interrupting Karissa’s babbling. “Yes, let’s go. Roy is busting in his tuxedo with pride that he gets to walk you down the aisle. Liz is taking care of Jonathon during the ceremony for me. The photographer is ready and we’re ready.”
Liz couldn’t stand up in the wedding because now that her pregnancy was advancing the doctor had recommended she stay off her feet. Casey, Stella, Lacy, and Kari were her bridesmaids. All were wearing the beautiful pale yellow dresses Liz had picked out for them. Toby was the proud ring-bearer and a relative of Roy’s was the flower girl. Thanks to her new friends, the wedding had been planned quickly and they had simply made an announcement at the monthly town hall meeting that everyone in Appledale was welcomed to attend the wedding and reception being held in the community center afterward.
* * * *
The music started signaling her queue to walk down the aisle with Roy. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This was the moment she had dreamed of since she was a little girl. She was ready to marry Gabriel Wilson, the man she had always loved.
Roy leaned toward her and said softly, “You look beautiful, honey. Gabe is a good man and I am so happy for you both.”