Lawfully Matched, Justified, and Redeemed Page 10
“Stop,” Kate said with a laugh. “Come on now. Sarah will be hurt if we don’t show up. She and Ellen planned the whole celebration.”
“I know,” Jesse groaned playfully. “That’s what I’m worried about.”
Kate batted his arm, which was now fully healed, and grabbed his hand, pulling him out of the door.
* * *
The barn had been decorated with white flowers and lace. Lanterns created a romantic atmosphere as Kate and Jesse entered the wide doors.
“Congratulations,” Sarah cried, running over to Kate and enveloping her in a hug.
“You do know we’ve been married for months now, right Miss Miller?” Jesse asked.
Sarah shot him a look. “Yes, but now the whole town supports your marriage. Look, even James showed up.”
As if on cue, the large man limped over. His foot was nearly healed, but evidently the break had been bad enough that he would have a slight limp the rest of his life.
“I wanted to say I’m sorry, Jesse,” James began, “and you too, Kate.” He glanced at her under lowered lids. “I was wrong to blame you, and I’m glad you were able to get justice for Pauline.”
“I am too,” Jesse said, sticking out his hand. James looked at it for a moment before returning the shake with his own.
Kate smiled at the scene. God really could work miracles.
As more of the townsmen came up to speak to Jesse, Kate let Sarah lead her to the side where the women were congregated. Kate was surprised to see the girl who had shunned her in the store her first day in town standing in the middle of the women.
“I don’t think we’ve officially met,” the girl said, stepping forward. She didn’t offer a hand though. They stayed behind her back. “I’m Rebecca, and Pauline was my best friend. I’m sorry for the way I treated you, and I wanted,” she looked around her, “we wanted to tell you how brave we think you are. You’ve kind of become a role model.” She brought her arms forward, revealing a wrapped package.
Kate took the package and looked around at all the women.
“Open it,” they said.
Kate tore the paper back and lifted the lid. Inside was a beautiful quilt.
“We each brought a square of fabric from home and sewed it together,” Sarah said. “It’s a wedding quilt for your bed. Sorry we couldn’t invite you this time, but we hope you’ll join us for the next quilting bee.”
Tears welled up in Kate’s eyes as she regarded each of the women she now considered a friend. “Thank you,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “This means so much to me.”
“Well, you mean a great deal to us,” Ellen said, coming to her side. “See, I told you they’d love you when they got to know you,” she whispered in Kate’s ear.
Kate nodded, feeling happier than she could remember being in a long time.
A few minutes later, she was reunited with Jesse as Sarah brought out a large wedding cake. They cut the cake amid cheers from the crowd, and then Jesse grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor.
“Alright, I have to admit,” he said, “I do enjoy parties, especially when they give me an excuse to dance with you.”
“Me too,” she said, smiling up at him. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I finally got a letter back from my brother.”
“That’s wonderful,” he said as he twirled her around. “How is he doing?”
“Well,” she said with a mischievous smile, “it turns out I’m going to be an aunt soon.”
He stopped mid twirl and tightened his grip on her waist. “That is good news indeed, and it reminds me of something I’d like to ask you.”
“What?” Kate asked with a tilt of her head.
“Well, with Easterly taken care of and things calming down in town, I wanted to ask you what you thought of motherhood?”
“I think it’s a very noble profession,” Kate said, biting back her smile.
“Indeed it is,” he said, “but I suppose my question was more would you like to be a mother?”
“I would like that very much, Deputy Jennings.” This time she didn’t bother to hold back the smile.
“As would I,” he said. Their gazes locked for the briefest of moments and then Jesse leaned his head down to touch Kate’s lips with his own.
The End!
It’s not quite the end!
* * *
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Lawfully Justified
Lawfully Matched, Justified, and Redeemed
Three Lawkeeper book collection
Lorana Hoopes
Contents
Lawfully Matched
Copyright
Introduction to The Lawkeepers Series
Note from the Author
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Epilogue
It’s not quite the end!
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Lawfully Justified
Note from the Author
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
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Lawfully Redeemed
Note from the Author
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
It’s not quite the end!
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The Other Books in the Series
About The Author
Also By Author
This book is dedicated to all the hardworking law enforcement officers out there. Our world would not be as safe without all of you.
And to my family who lets me sacrifice time with them to write these stories in my head.
Note from the Author
Thank you so much for picking up this book. I hope you enjoy the story and the characters as they are dear to my heart. If you do, please leave a review at your retailer. It really does make a difference because it lets people make an informed decision about books. Below are the other books in this series. I would love for you to ch
eck them out. I’d also like to offer you a sample of my newest book. Free Sample!
Lawkeepers series:
Lawfully Matched
Chapter 1
1883 Sage Creek, Texas
William “Wild Bill” Cook smoothed his black duster and stepped through the swinging batwing doors into the saloon. His eyes scanned the bustling, noisy room for the slim, bearded man whose face he had memorized from the Wanted Poster, but he didn’t appear to be in the room. Of course, that meant nothing. Sometimes the men tried to disguise themselves or hide in low lit corners. Occasionally, he even found them upstairs with one of the saloon girls, if they had the money. Once he had even found a mark upstairs pretending to be a saloon girl. He hadn’t been the brightest one, not realizing his full beard was a dead giveaway. It didn’t matter. Wild Bill Cook always got his man.
He sidled up to the bar, pulled his black hat low on his eyes, and ordered a Whiskey. He wasn’t a big drinker - his wife had hated the stuff - but he found one drink honed his senses and allowed him to survey the room without standing out too much. The last thing he needed was someone recognizing he didn’t belong and warning Frank Monroe. The man was a cattle thief, and no man liked the prospect of jail time and most fought tooth and nail not to go.
When the drink slid his way, William picked it up, trying to ignore the cloudy film on it - Catherine would roll over in her grave if she saw him drinking from such a cup - and adjusted his position so that his back was to the bar.
A heated poker game was taking place at a table across the room, but a closer look ruled out any of those men. Another few men sat at a table closer to his position, tossing back beers, but they were all too large to be his mark. His eyes continued to scan left, but after coming up empty, he finished his drink and turned back to the bartender. Monroe must be hiding out upstairs then.
“Who do you have working tonight?” William asked the bartender. “It’s been a long ride, and I’d like to unwind.”
The long-haired bartender smiled at him, revealing a bottom row of crooked teeth. “What’s your flavor?”
William shook his head as he spun the glass on the counter. “I’m not particular. What are my choices?”
The bartender scanned the room. “Looks like we have two blonds, Nellie and Lizzie, down here which means Minnie, my brunette is upstairs, engaged in other business.”
“I guess I’ll take a blond then,” William said.
“Nellie,” the bartender hollered across the noisy room. He cocked his head in a “come here” gesture, and a moment later, a plump blond appeared at William’s side.
Her blond hair was pinned to one side and curled. Bright red lipstick covered her lips along with a dark rouge. A blood red dress trimmed in a black fringe hugged her frame a little too tightly, sending her extra flesh rolling over the top. William forced his eyes to remain on her face.
“You looking for a good time, honey?” she asked, laying a hand on his arm.
William resisted the urge to shake her hand off. She was his ticket upstairs, and he could swallow his revulsion a moment longer to apprehend his man.
“Sure am. Are you good at giving one?”
“I’m good at everything, honey.” Her voice flowed like silk out of her mouth, but it had no effect on William. He hadn’t been with a woman since the death of his wife, and he wouldn’t until he married again. IF he married again.
“Lead the way then,” he said, pushing the glass back to the bartender and standing. Nellie headed for the back stairs, sashaying her ample hips as she walked. William kept his eyes peeled for Monroe as he followed her, just in case he had missed the man in his initial scan. It didn’t happen often, but William stayed alive by always checking twice if the opportunity presented itself.
With each step, the wooden stairs groaned under his weight and William held tight to the railing as he climbed. The top of the stairs opened into a small hallway. Two doors were on the left and two were on the right, but all were closed. How was he going to determine which room Monroe was in?
“Do you girls all have a regular room?” William asked, hoping her answer would let him know which room Monroe was in.
“Sort of,” Nellie said with a shrug, “but there are three other girls, so we have to share.”
Not helpful. He’d have to be more direct. “Which one is Minnie’s regular room?” William narrowed his eyes as he listened, but he heard no sound coming from any of the rooms.
Nellie’s smile faded, and she crossed her arms. “Are you here for Minnie or for me?”
William scanned her face. While he didn’t trust her - he trusted no one - he had little choice but to ask for her help if he wanted any chance of surprising Monroe. “Honestly ma’am, I’m here for the man who is with Minnie. If you can point out her room, I’ll pay you for your time.”
Nellie’s eyes widened and then she smiled. “Sure, her room is the second one on the left.”
William tipped his hat and headed that direction. His right hand fell to the hilt of his revolver as his left turned the handle. Monroe and a brunette turned his direction as the door opened.
“Run, Frank,” Nellie shouted from behind William.
A look of surprise followed by a flash of fear crossed Monroe’s face before he rolled out of the bed and dove for cover. With a grumble, William whipped his gun out. He hated when things didn’t go according to plan. “Frank Monroe, you’re coming with me. You’re wanted for stealing cattle.”
The brunette pulled the sheet around her and let out a blood-curdling scream. The noise distracted William just enough that he didn’t see Nellie run up behind him until it was too late. She rammed him with her shoulder, sending him into the door jamb.
A shot went off, followed by two more female screams. William thought at first that he had fired his gun when Nellie hit him, but then the searing pain just above his clavicle hit him. Monroe sat on the floor, his gun smoking in his hand. William tried to raise his arm to fire a shot, but it would no longer obey his command.
As soon as Monroe realized he had the upper hand, he scrambled up, but before he could make it very far, the thunder of footsteps reached the second floor.
“What’s going on here?” the bartender demanded, splotches of red lighting up his face and emphasizing the scar that resided there.
“That’s Frank Monroe,” William said, gritting his teeth through the pain. “He’s a wanted man, and I’m bringing him in. This one ought to be under arrest for abetting a felon.” He pointed at Nellie with his left hand, trying to ward off the darkness that was creeping in on his vision.
“You can’t arrest my girl,” the bartender roared.
“Actually, we can,” a male voice said from behind the bartender. Before the darkness won the battle, William noticed a star pinned to the man’s chest. At least his man wouldn’t get away.
Chapter 2
Emma was just finishing wrapping the bandages when the door of the clinic swung open. Deputy Jennings and Sheriff Johnson stepped in, supporting a dark-haired man between them. Blood ran from a hole in the skin above his clavicle.
“Pa,” Emma hollered as she pointed to the cot in the front room. Her father thundered in from the back room a moment later. “Who is he?” she asked.
“A bounty hunter. He was trying to apprehend Frank Monroe when he was shot.”
“Emma, get me a wet rag,” her father said as he crouched in front of the cot. “I can’t see the wound through all the blood.”
Emma grabbed a clean towel and soaked it in the wash basin. After giving it a quick wring out, she hurried it over to her father.
He began wiping away the dried blood and cleaning out the wound. The unconscious man moaned but his eyes remained closed. Emma bit her lip as she watched the blood continue to pour out of the hole. She wasn’t squeamish about injuries, but she hated watching people die and gunshot wounds were often fatal.
“Can you pick him up?” her father asked. “I need to see if the bullet exited
the other side.”
The two men did as he asked, and Emma peered over their shoulders. There was an exit wound, slightly larger and spouting even more blood, but it wasn’t as large as she expected. She had little experience with gunshot wounds, but she was almost certain not all the bullet had come out the other side.
“Emma, get my glasses and the tweezers please.”
Emma hurried over to the desk and grabbed his glasses off the top, then opened the drawer to find the tweezers.
He put the glasses on and peered closer to the wound before taking the tweezers and poking inside the wound. A few metal fragments dropped on to the bed beside the man. Her father made another pass, but this time the metal instrument returned empty.