Every Little Thing About You (Yellow Rose Trilogy 1) (21 page)

time to see him spot Griffin. It seemed as though he had

forgotten him.

"You there!" he screamed. "Get that gun off and shove

it away from you."

The robber was so wild-eyed that it was terrifying to

watch him, but Griffin slowly removed his weapon and

quietly placed it on the floor. He pushed it away with the

flick of his boot his calm face seeming to irritate the man

even more.

"Now come here! Help him," he ordered, gesturing

wildly with the gun. "Help him put money in the bag."

Griffin went slowly forward. Liberty didn't dare move.

She was small enough not to be seen behind Griffin's back

if she wanted to pull her gun, but if the robber caught any

movement, Griffin would be right in the line of fire.

"What bag do you want me to use?" Griffin asked

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calmly. The man looked panicky until he remembered and

pulled a sack from his waistband.

Griffin had deliberately moved between the gunman

and the innocent folks against the counter, but now the

head teller had no choice but to move out of their ranks and

join Griffin. The gunman started to follow but pulled back.

Suddenly grabbing Bill Miller, who had come in to withdraw

some funds, he pulled him close and held the gun to

his head.

"Make it fast!" he yeUed.

Griffin and the teller did just that, taking money from

the drawers and shoving the bills into the bag. They were

finished in less than two minutes, but the man was so agitated

it looked as though he would shoot anyway. He had

to let go of Bill to grab the money, and when he did, Griffin

stepped in such a way as to put himself between them. The

gunman was instantly irate.

Every Little Thing About You 147

"What are you doing?"

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"Just waiting on you," Griffin said. He was close

enough to see that the man was out of his head.

"I'll shoot him if I want to," he said suddenly and gestured

with his gun. "Move!"

"I can't let you shoot him," Griffin said calmly, and the

man lost control. He brought the gun directly in front of

him and aimed at Griffin, giving Liberty no choice. The

look of surprise on the man's face as the bullet entered his

body was pathetic. He froze, dropped everything from

both hands, and crumpled to the floor.

In the next instant, Liberty was across the room taking

Josie in her arms. She scooped the child up--she was stiff

with shock--and cradled her close. Looking to Griffin, who

motioned her out with his head, she turned for the door.

She didn't expect to see Slater and Dakota, who had just

slipped in the door, both with guns pulled. The look on

Slater's face shocked Liberty. She had never seen such a

look of revulsion, and it was directed at her. In an instant

she was angry.

"This baby's mother is gone, and Griffin was next," she

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said quietly. "I suppose you wanted me to slap his hand for

that."

This said, Liberty pushed past both men and the crowd

that had started to gather outside. Questions about what

happened flew at her, but she ignored them. She had to get

to the Franks'. She had to find this little girl's father. She

only hoped that in time the memory would fade. There was

no chance that Liberty would ever forget, but she prayed

that Josie would never remember a thing about this day.

"How are you?" Duffy asked Liberty as he joined her

in the living room several hours later. Kate had called

Duffy home as soon as she'd heard. She had given Zach

and Laura a snack at the table, but Liberty had wanted to

be alone. She'd opted to grab her Bible and sit in the living

room where she could hear their voices, but she had yet to

open the book.

"I feel bruised all over," she said as she looked at him.

"I never get used to it, Duffy. Today's not the first time, but

it might as well be. The shock and hurt are just the same."

"If you did get used to it, I'd be worried about you."

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Liberty nodded.

"Thank you, Ubby," he said now.

"What for?"

"For saving our Griffin."

Liberty cried then. "I had to, Duff, I had to do it. He was

going to kill Griff!"

Duffy moved to put an arm around her. She hadn't

cried yet, and this was what she needed. Not even her mother's arms had provided the needed cathartic, but having Duffy, who loved them as though they were his

own, thank her for her brother's life had been enough.

Duffy had yet to go to the Franks', but he was headed

there next. He left as soon as Liberty fell asleep on the sofa

and he'd covered her with a quilt. He held Kate for the

longest time and then his children. The Frank family went

to church with them, but it was more than that: As a doctor,

Duffy had to check on that little girl.

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150 LORlWlCK

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3r *3r

"Why have you never asked me to be your deputy?"

Slater asked later that afternoon. It had been an emotional

day for all of them, but Slater could not keep his thoughts

to himself any longer. He had even asked Dakota to take off

for a while to give him and Griffin privacy.

Griffin, who was headed to Tess' for dinner, looked at

him from across the room and was suddenly all ears. He

took in Slater's intense eyes and had sudden hope.

"Tell me something, Slate," Griffin requested right

back. "Why have you never told me why you left the

Rangers?"

Slater looked confused. "I thought I did."

This was not what Griffin expected at all. "Tell me

again" was all the sheriff said.

"I couldn't keep on the trail for the Rangers, constantly

moving around and never having a home church. It was

wreaking havoc with my walk with Christ. I knew I had to

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settle somewhere; most Rangers can't do that. I don't

understand why knowing that is so important."

"I wasn't sure it would be, but for all I knew, you'd

accidentally killed an innocent man or a child and never

wanted to be in law enforcement again. You had opportunity

at one point to tell Liberty you were a Ranger, but you

didn't do it. Other than me, I've never heard you tell

anyone what you were. I didn't know what to think about

that. Much as I need a new deputy, I have to be pretty selective

about who I have at my back. I think you can probably

understand."

Slater nodded. He had no idea Griffin's thoughts had

run along that line. No wonder he'd not said a word. But

there was more, and Slater thought it was time to come out

with it.

"I would like to serve as your deputy, Griffin; I think I

would do well. But there's more to it than that I don't want

Every little Thing About You 151

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Libby working as your deputy. I've had a hard time with

that from day one. I don't think she should be in such a

dangerous position."

"Liberty takes care of herself very well." Griffin

defended his sister with calm self-assurance. "And she has

a natural ability. Not to mention I use her only when I have

to."

Slater still shook his head. "I can't tell you what to do,

Griffin, and I won't leave in a huff, but I don't like it. No/

thaf s not true, I hate it. I want to marry your sister, Griffin.

If s not fair of me to tell you before I've spoken to her, but

thaf s the fact I don't want her packing a gun and putting

her life in danger, no matter how good she is. I'm glad she

saved your life today and possibly the lives of others, but I

don't like Libby being an option when you don't have

help."

Griffin nodded very slowly. Liberty had never let him

down--he would be the first to say that--but had he done

the right thing by her? Sheriff Drake questioned this for the

first time. He knew this was going to take some thinking.

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"Can you use me?" Slater asked, naturally wanting an

answer.

Griffin looked him in the eye. "Yes, and with you on as

deputy, Liberty can go back to her own life."

Slater nodded but didn't let his satisfaction go too far.

That Griffin Would use Liberty at all told him his bias was

altogether different But he would have to be content with

that for now. Thanking him, Slater stood.

"Are you headed out too?" Griffin asked. "I could give

you a rundown on a few things before I have to go."

"Is there any way it can wait for morning, or even later

this evening?"

"That's fine."

Slater put his hat on his head. "I've got to find Hank

Hathaway and tell him I've got another job. I'll ask him if

he needs me to put some time in until he finds someone

else. Then I need to see your sister."

152 lori wick

Griffin looked at the grim line around the other man's

267

mouth and said, "Something tells me you're not going to

propose."

"You're right. I'm not even sure she'll speak to me, but

I've got some explaining to do."

"I'll give you one word of advice," Griffin offered.

"What's that?"

"They don't think like we do." Griffin's voice was dry.

"Don't expect Liberty to be the exception."

Serious as Slater's business was, he found himself

laughing on the way to the door.

%r $-

"Mrs.

Peterson," Slater began as he stood at her door

some time later, hat in hand. "May I see Libby?"

Kate hesitated. Liberty had said something about

seeing Slater and Dakota at the bank, and even though she

had not explained, her mother could see that it had upset

her even more.

"Please," Slater tried again.

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"She's sleeping, Slater," Kate said honestly. "I'm not

sure what Libby would want, but I can't ask you to wait because she's asleep in the living room."

Slater was nodding and trying to fight his discouragement

when a disheveled Liberty appeared behind her

mother.

"Did I hear the door, Mam?" she asked in a small,

croaky voice. A moment later, she spotted Slater, stiffened,

and turned away.

"You misunderstood my look," Slater promptly said,

looking past Kate to see her. "I'd like to explain."

When Liberty stopped and looked back at him, Kate

slipped away. Slater took this as consent, stepped inside,

and shut the door. Dim as the light was, Slater could see

Liberty's eyes as he walked forward and stopped in front

Every Littk Thing About You 153

of her. His hand came up, and with just the tips of his fingers,

he touched the hair at her temple,

"How are you doing?"

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"I just woke up."

"You might feel drained for a few days," he offered.

Liberty nodded. "I always have in the past."

Slater had all he could do not to close his eyes and sigh

with pain. How could she do this? How could this be so

normal for all of them? He had to force his mind back to

why he was here.

"I'm sorry you misunderstood my look," he repeated,

his eyes looking directly into hers. "I was sick inside that

you had to go through that. I was sick inside over that poor

woman lying in her own blood. And all I was thinking was

that I wish I'd been there to spare you. I would have done

exactly as you did," he told her softly, "but I'm sorry you had to do it."

Liberty bit her lip and admitted/ "I thought you

despised me."

"Not even close. I just wish I had been on the scene

faster."

Liberty shook her head. "I think I should tell you.

Slater, that thaf s not really anything I've ever expected."

"I can understand how you would feel that way, and

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it's time I told you that I was a Texas Ranger, Libby. I gave

up that job right before I came here."

Liberty blinked, taking a moment to let it sink in.

Finally, "Why, Slater? Why did you give it up?"

"I want to tell you--if s not even that complicated--but

right now I need to let you know that I asked Griffin

whether he could use me as deputy, and he hired me. I

hope you're pleased. If not, I hope you'll talk to me. It may

not have been my place to tell you, but I wanted you to

know."

"Oh, Slater, that's wonderful. I'm very pleased," Liberty

said sincerely even as she took in the full import of his

news. She didn't have to back up her brother or stay on

154 lori wick

edge any longer. She didn't have to worry about someone

being there to protect her brother's back. A former Texas

Ranger would be on the job to do it. Liberty was slightly

amazed, so much so that it took a moment for her to hear

her mother calling.

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"Yes?" she answered after the second call.

"Can you come here a moment, Ub?"

"Excuse me," Liberty said to Slater and slipped around

into the dining room where she followed her mother into

the kitchen.

"Are you all right? Did you need me to rescue you?"

"No, thank you, Mam. He was just explaining what his

expression meant earlier, I had completely misunderstood."

Kate smiled at the daughter she adored. "Would you

like to invite Slater for dinner? We have plenty."

"I'll ask him."

Intent on doing that, Liberty went back to the hallway

but found Slater leaning against the wall, his eyes closed.

She hesitated, and almost instantly he opened his eyes.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered right away, "I was just praying. I--"

Liberty waited, but it took a moment for him to continue.

Slater had just told Griffin that he wanted to marry

Liberty, but he suddenly realized that he wasn't ready to

ask her on the spot He suspected that she might need some

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time as well.

"There's so much in my heart, Libby. Sometimes I think

I could burst with all the things I'm keeping inside. Does

that make sense?"

Liberty nodded.

"I guess I just wanted you to know that. I want to have

a chance to figure out what I'm feeling toward you. I don't

want us to rush, but I want you to know I'm feeling things

and to ask if you might be feeling some things too."

Every Little Thing About You 155

"I am, Slater. I have been for a time now," Liberty said,

not able to keep the breathlessness and fear from her voice.

"It's all so new."

Slater nodded. The light caught her face for a moment,

and he thought she looked so pale. He chastised himself for

his timing.

"I should have waited to talk to you, Libby. It's been a

rough day. I am glad to learn, however, that I'm not in this

alone."

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Liberty felt a wonderful warm feeling spiral through

her. He was so honest and open. Her mother had told her

that women seemed to deal better with their thoughts and

feelings than men did, but she wondered if Slater might be

an exception.

"My mother said you could stay for dinner," Liberty

suddenly said, wishing she'd come up with something a

little more profound.

"I'd like that," Slater replied, not wishing for any other

words from her. For right now it was enough just to stand

with her, knowing she was not upset with him anymore

and that the subject of the future--their future--was an

open one.

S-

"How are you?" Tess asked Griffin the moment she

saw him. For more than two weeks they had been planning

to celebrate their Christinas the day after, but neither one

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had expected the evening to follow a bank robbery and

shooting.

"I'm all right."

"How about Libby?"

"I stopped for a moment before I came over here. She's

pale, but they were just sitting down to dinner, and she

seemed to be doing fairly well."

"Who was the man, Griff? Was he from around here?"

156 lori wick

"Not that I'm aware of. I did find a poster that looked

like him, but I'll have to write some letters and check it

out." Griffin shook his head. "He didn't seem to be in his

right mind."

They fell silent for a moment. They were the only ones

in the living room--Tess' mother had said she would finish

preparing dinner, and her father and brothers were not yet

home. They never waited dinner for the men--they would

starve if they tried--so Tess wondered what the evening

would be like.

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"I'm sorry I couldn't get over here sooner," Griffin said.

"Slater needed to talk with me."

"Was he upset?"

"Yes, but mostly because of Libby," Griffin told her

before explaining Slater's past work experience, their conversation,

and Slater's new position as deputy.

"I hope Lib will be pleased."

Griffin gave her a shrewd look. "Do you have some

doubt about that?"

Tess looked surprised. "Don't you, Griff?"

"I didn't, no."

Tess bit her lip.

"Talk to me, Tess," he said in that tone she could never

argue with.

Tess hesitated but still said, "I don't want to be too

harsh on Libby, but I wouldn't have said she could give it

up that easily. But then you know her better than I do, Griff.

If you say she'll be fine, I'm sure you're right."

Griffin felt the air leave his lungs. What was Tess saying that made him feel so breathless? He wasn't exactly sure, but doubts about Liberty handling this change began to

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assail him. She had honestly looked very calm that night at

the dinner table, but would that be the end of it?

"Have I upset you?" Tess asked after studying his

thoughtful face.

"Yes, but that's good. I'm going to have to keep my

eyes open."

Even/ Little Thing About You 157

Not really knowing what he was referring to, Tess innocently

said, "Maybe Slater isn't the man for Libby after all."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, you've told me when you were explaining about

the change that Slater didn't want Libby in that job and was

glad to become your deputy." She suddenly smiled. "Maybe

I've misunderstood all these years, but I've always thought

that when a woman loved a man enough to marry him, she

would be willing to do anything he wants."

Griffin smiled a little but couldn't speak. Was Tess

right? Would Liberty still want to work for him even if it

mean losing Slater?

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Tess missed all of this turmoil. She heard a bang in the

kitchen and told Griffin she was headed to check on her

mother. By the time she returned, Griffin calmed his

thoughts. He knew that time and prayer were needed here,

but right now it was more important that he celebrate

Christmas with the family he would be joining.

"Dinner's not ready yet," Tess said as she returned to

her place across from Griffin. "Did I tell you that my father

came home and told me you were all right?"

"No, you didn't. How did he know?" Griffin asked,

working hard to get back into Tess' life.

"He saw you downtown and came home and told me."

Tess gave a small, incredulous laugh. "You could have

pushed me over with a small breeze. My father left the

office and came all the way home to tell me you were all

right. He went back as soon as he'd let me know. My

mother and I could only stare at each other after he left."

"Maybe with your getting married and leaving, he has

realized how much he's missed."

Tess smiled hugely. "I love it when you talk about our

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