Come the Spring (Claybornes' Brides (Rose Hill) 5)

The cold-blooded murderer was as cunning as a fox. He was waiting for his opportunity to spring into action. The sheriff had already relaxed his guard—the old fool was still looking around for his handcuffs—and barely paying his prisoner any notice at all, which Donald knew was just fine with Bell. The sheriff was going to have to get close to Bell in order to shackle him, and when he did, Bell would attack. Donald expected him to go down in a blaze of bullets, and while the deputies and the marshals were firing, Donald would fold into the inevitable stampede as the crowd swarmed out the doors to escape.

A man in the back row jumped to his feet and reached into his hip pocket, drawing both Cole’s and Daniel’s attention.

“Hands up,” Cole shouted as he strode up the center aisle amid the spectators, his gun trained on the stranger.

“I’m unarmed, I’m unarmed,” the man stammered. “I just needed my handkerchief.” He then sneezed, drawing smiles from those around him.

Jessica was trying to figure out who Rebecca was looking at in the crowd. Who would she know in Blackwater …

“Cole,” Jessie screamed as she rushed across the room, “he’s here. The leader … he’s here.”

Daniel raced toward her and jerked her back just as Donald gave the signal to Rebecca.

Rebecca leapt to her feet and fired one shot through the sheriff’s temple, but before his legs could begin to fold, Bell was behind him and had his gun. He fired at the deputy guarding the side door, hitting him in the center of the chest, then whirled and fired at Jessica. Daniel shoved her to the floor in the nick of time, but the bullet caught him in the left shoulder.

Pandemonium broke loose as the crowd jumped to its feet, obstructing Cole’s view.

Bell, diving for cover at the side of the witness-box, fired at Daniel, but the shot went wild, for Daniel was already in motion. He shot the gun out of Rebecca’s hand. She screamed and fell backward. Daniel hit the table, slid across on his side, his gun blazing. Bell lunged back and froze. Daniel fired again as he dropped to the floor, rolled, and fired again, this time at point-blank range.

Indifferent to the ear-shattering screams surrounding him as people tried to escape, Daniel dropped his empty gun, grabbed the other one out of his left holster, and slowly got to his feet.

It wasn’t over yet. Daniel slowly extended his arm, cocked his gun, and waited. His eyes bored into those of his enemy. Golden brown eyes stared back.

Cole was desperate to get to Jessica. He fought like an animal to get through the crazed people clawing their way to the doors. He hadn’t been able to get a clear shot since the first gunshots were fired, for the crowd had swelled to its feet and surged in on him, screaming and shoving and pushing to get away.

Cole was finally able to shove his way through the crowd. His gun was out, but when the last men were shoved aside and he finally had a clear view, his heart dropped.

Donald had Jessica in front of him and was backing toward the side door. One arm held her tightly around the waist. The other held a gun under her chin, the barrel pressed against her throat.

Jessica was fighting like a wildcat, scraping his arm with her nails and kicking his legs with her heels.

He seemed impervious to her struggles. “What we have here, gentlemen, is called a standoff. I’ll blow her head off, and I’m sure that by now, with my rather colorful history, you know I’d get a kick out of watching your expressions after I kill her. Oh, I know you’ll get me, but not before I see how you react when her head explodes.” His voice hardened into concrete. “It’ll be messy. I’ve done it before.”

Jessica dug her nails into his skin, drawing blood. “Stop it,” he ordered. “What’s it going to be, Marshals?” he demanded as he edged back.

Cole was slowly advancing down the center aisle. He was about five feet away from Daniel, coming toward him at an angle now, when Donald shouted to him. “Stop right there. I don’t mind dying,” he boasted. “I’ve seen so much of it lately. If you want her to keep on breathing, you’ll stop right there and drop your guns.”

Neither marshal reacted. Cole’s arm was rigid. Daniel shook his head. “You aren’t getting out of here. Let her go.”

“I can’t do that,” he said. “She’s going with me. Look there. Rebecca’s crawling toward the judge’s chambers. That’s my girl.”

Jessica kicked hard and struck bone. She felt as if she were being cut in half, so forcefully did he squeeze her.

“I told you to stop,” he shouted in her ear.

“I won’t stop until you let me tell Cole I love him. I have to tell him,” she whispered. “I’ll help you escape, I’ll do anything you say…”

Donald laughed. “Isn’t that sweet,” he called out to the marshals. “The little lady wants to say something to you.”

“You got a clear shot?” Daniel asked Cole.

“No,” Cole answered, his voice harsh.

“Go ahead, angel,” Donald urged. “You can tell him.”

“Cole,” she cried out.

He was dying inside. Dear God, please don’t let him hurt her … don’t let him …

“Abilene.”

He knew what she was asking him to do. He had her permission, he had his target, his gun was cocked, but God help him, he couldn’t do it.

Daniel took the shot for him.

“No.” Cole roared the denial. In his mind’s eye, everything happened in slow motion. He saw Jessica’s eyes flutter closed, saw her body drift downward to the floor. His mind wouldn’t accept any more. He emptied his gun into the bastard, spraying him up against the wall. Cole didn’t stop. He kept pulling the trigger again and again and again, the only sound now the clicking as the empty chambers rotated, until Daniel grabbed the gun out of his hand.

“I didn’t shoot her,” Daniel shouted in hopes that his words would cut through Cole’s stupor. “She’s all right. She just fainted. Get her off the floor.”

Cole rushed to her side and fell to his knees. His hand shook as he pressed his finger against the pulse point at the base of her throat. He felt the heartbeat, strong and rapid, and felt the tears sting his eyes. He gently lifted her into his arms and stood, cradling her against his chest.

Jessica heard someone sobbing. She opened her eyes and saw Grace running toward Daniel.

There was a deputy standing in the doorway of the judge’s chambers, watching Rebecca. The woman had her bloody hand pressed against her bosom. Her other hand was braced against the wall and she was slowly struggling to her feet when Grace ran past her.

“I’m all right, Grace,” Daniel called out as soon as he saw her tears. He fully expected her to throw herself into his arms, but Grace suddenly stopped. A funny look crossed her face before she turned around and ran back to Rebecca.

Daniel didn’t have time to stop her. Grace made a fist, swung, and coldcocked her. Rebecca crumpled to the floor.

Grace stepped back and looked at her. “It hurts, doesn’t it?”

Daniel was so shocked he laughed. He stopped when Grace was in his arms, kissing him.

“I love you, Daniel. I love you,” she fervently whispered as she kissed his brow, his nose, his chin.

He tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes, and then he whispered his declaration of love. “Don’t marry Nigel.”

“Because you love me, Daniel?”

“I was getting to that, Grace … because I love you.”

Thirty-Nine

Everyone had gathered in the judge’s chambers to watch the doctor work on Daniel’s shoulder. He was sprawled out on the leather settee. Grace leaned against his side, holding his hand.

Cole sat nearby in an overstuffed wing chair with Jessica on his lap. She had tried to sit next to him, but Cole wouldn’t let her move.

The judge was still in the courtroom giving orders to two deputies before they dragged Rebecca to jail.

Cole was deliberately taunting Daniel as the physician prodded the injury with his instruments in search of the bullet.   “You’re being awful brave, Daniel.”

“Don’t push me, Cole.”

“It hurts, doesn’t it, Daniel?” Grace asked.

“If I answer yes, are you going to coldcock me?” Daniel asked dryly.

Everyone laughed but Grace, who was clearly mortified. “You’re never going to let me live that one down, are you?”

“No,” Daniel assured her.

“I’m having the last laugh,” Grace boasted.

“How’s that?” Daniel asked. His voice sounded calm, but his brow was covered with beads of perspiration. He wanted to yell at the doctor to hurry up and find the damned bullet, but he didn’t say a word because Grace was already anxious and upset.

“I never was going to marry Nigel.”

“I know. I wouldn’t have let you.”

Cole tugged on Jessica’s blouse to get her to look at him.

“I want to hear you tell me you love me. No more messing around, Jessie. I mean it. This is your last chance or…”

“Or what?”

He leaned down and whispered into her ear. She immediately turned scarlet. “You wouldn’t … not here in front of Grace and Daniel…”

“I’m a desperate man. If taking your clothes off is the only way I can get you to cooperate, I’ll do it.”

“It sure would take my mind off this torture,” Daniel drawled out.

Grace covered her face and laughed. Jessica put her arms around Cole’s neck.

“I’m waiting,” Cole reminded her.

“I love you, Cole Clayborne. I love you.”

His expression turned somber. “Forever, Jessica?”

“Forever.”

The judge came striding into his chambers with a full bottle of good whiskey. He poured drinks for everyone and then sat down behind his desk.

“I’m still in shock,” Rafferty announced. “I can’t believe that Donald Curtis, a respected businessman in this town, a pillar of our community, was the leader of the Blackwater gang. Whatever possessed him to turn like that?”

“Greed,” Daniel speculated.

“The thrill,” Cole suggested.

“Maybe Rebecca will be able to answer your questions about Donald. She knew him well,” Jessica said.

“I know I shouldn’t feel sorry for her, but I do,” Grace said. “She loved him, and some women will do anything for the men they love, even kill.”

The judge raised his glass and said, “Why don’t one of you marshals make the toast?”

Daniel looked at Cole. “Are you keeping your badge?”

“Maybe. What about you?”

“Maybe.”

Cole raised his glass to Daniel. “To justice.”

Epilogue

Rosehill Ranch, Montana Territory

Mama Rose was sitting on the front porch enjoying the sunset. It was her daily ritual and one she tried never to miss, for, in her opinion, sunsets were one of God’s special gifts to the world, and it was her duty to take a moment to appreciate His wonders.

She wasn’t alone, for squeezed up next to her was the newest addition to the family, Caleb. The two of them had taken to one another immediately, and he was happily chattering away now in a language only he understood.

He was the most adorable child, and every now and then, she couldn’t resist brushing her hand across his dark, silky curls.

The family had all returned home to celebrate the wedding of Jessica and Cole and to welcome Jessica and her son into the fold. The house was bursting at the seams, and Mama Rose couldn’t have been happier.

She glanced up and saw Cole standing in the doorway, watching her.

“I knew I’d find you out here,” he said. He came out and pulled up a chair next to her. With a nod toward Caleb, he said, “He’s a piece of work, isn’t he, Mama?”

“My, yes,” she answered. “He’s busy every minute. He was just telling me a remarkable story.”

Cole laughed. “He keeps Jessie on her toes,” he remarked. “By the end of the day, we’re both worn out from chasing after him.”

“That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” she replied. She grew serious then and said, “You do know how blessed you’ve been, don’t you? Jessica is a treasure and so is this little boy.”

“I know,” he agreed. “Sometimes … at night … I watch her sleep and I get this choked-up feeling.… I’m a man in love,” he ended. “No doubt about it.”

“I expect you at services Sunday,” she said. “You’ll want to thank God.”

“We’ll be there,” he promised. “Are you going to wear your new hat Grace sent you?”

“Oh my, yes,” she replied. “It’s almost too grand for me.”

“Nothing’s too grand for you, Mama Rose.”

Praise flustered her, and she quickly changed the subject. “Jessica told me that Grace has decided to open a hat shop in Dillon.”

Cole nodded. “Her parents are coming over from London to help her get started. Daniel hopes they’ll stay.”

“When is Daniel going to marry her?”

“The date hasn’t been set yet. He has to wait and ask Grace’s father for permission first, but he’s hoping to tie the knot next year, come the spring. He expects you to be there.”

“Oh, I’ll be there, and I’ll wear my new hat. Daniel’s at peace now, isn’t he?”

Cole smiled. “He’s getting there, Mama.”

The screen door opened, and her other sons, Adam and Douglas and Travis, came outside. A moment later, her daughter, Mary Rose, joined them. Mama Rose’s heart swelled with love and pride, and she suddenly became quite teary-eyed.

“I was about to tell this baby a story.”

“We’ll listen too,” Adam said.

“What’s it about?” Douglas wanted to know.

“A circle,” she answered, “that began in New York City when four young boys and an infant became a family.”

Caleb climbed up on her lap and cuddled against her chest. She put her arms around him and began to rock.

“Once upon a time…”