"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." gvery one 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.
Every one 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." Rosehill Ranch, Montana Territory Xma
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.
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