Kaitlin's Silver Lining (31 page)

Katy’s mouth gaped,
and she glanced at Bryce. “So your suspicions might be true. I might be sitting
on a wealthy find.”

“This doesn’t change
anything.” Bryce needed her to know that, even though he suspected as much, he
hadn’t married her for any promised silver.

“What do you mean?”

“It means you’re all
the treasure I’ll ever need or want.”

“You thought I’d
worry that you were after the same thing as James, that you only wanted me for
my land?”

Bryce shrugged. He
hoped that wasn’t the case, but she’d never told him her feelings. She’d shown
him in small ways that her regard for him was special, but she’d never intoned
the words.

Dan coughed then
nodded toward the lingering crowd.

“I got too much to do
here, keeping this group under control. I just wanted to tell you what I knew.
By the way, you don’t have to worry any more over cahoots trying to kill you.
When we searched James’ place, we discovered correspondence that alluded to a
liaison whom we believe to be his accomplice.”

“Was it Emma Hood?”

Dan shook his head.
“Though to be honest, that thought crossed my mind. No. It was...”

Just then a searing
pain skittered across Bryce’s arm and another gunshot exploded near his ear. He
dropped the signs he still held, and they clattered at their feet.  Kaitlin
screamed. Ignoring the pain to his arm, he swung his body in front of Kaitlin
and pushed her toward a covered porch where he hoped to find shelter.

Dan drew his weapon
and dove behind a wagon. Another shot splintered the wooden post and Bryce
swore beneath his breath. “I’m getting’ mighty tired of these attempts on your
life.”

Katy examined his
sleeve. “The bullet only grazed your arm. You’re barely bleeding. Thank God
it’s not more serious.”

He peered down the
street, amazed to see how quickly the crowd had dissipated at the sound of more
gunfire. His gaze caught movement and sunlight sparkled off metal. Had he found
the shooter? He withdrew his Colt 45 and aimed.

Out of the corner of
his eye, he saw Dan slide behind the gunman’s hiding place a safe distance
away. “Come out with your hands up. I’ve got my gun pointed your way.”

After a moment’s
silence, a woman emerged from the shadows, her gun aimed toward Bryce and Katy.

“Marcy Klein?” He
whispered.

Marcy wore a
decidedly anxious mask, her features skewed to reflect her madness. “You both
killed my James.” She pulled back the hammer and fired.

Kaitlin screamed and
ducked into the entryway of a store. Glass exploded into a million pieces when
the bullet struck a nearby window. Another shot rang out, and Marcy collapsed
onto the ground.

Kaitlin averted her
head at the grizzly sight while Bryce rushed to the body. Dan came forward and
gazed down at Marcy’s still form. He holstered his gun and knelt to check for a
pulse. “She’s dead.”

Kaitlin staggered
toward them, her fist clutched to her mouth. “I can’t believe Marcy tried to
kill us.”

“Makes sense to me,”
Dan said, rolling her over onto her back. Blood stained the front of her
bodice. “She was Latham’s lover.”

Katy fixed her gaze
on the milling crowd. “Marcy? But he called her Little Em.”

Bryce pondered for a
moment before expelling a huge sigh. “I think he called her that because she
wrote articles for the paper under the pseudonym of L. M. Klein.”

“And she signed those
notes I found with a little ‘m’.” Katy added.

“With Miss Klein dead
and Farley in custody, I think we can label this case closed.”

“Thanks Dan. I owe
you one.” Bryce extended his hand.

“All in the line of
duty. You don’t owe me a thing. I was grateful for all your help in
investigating this thing. You two be careful, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Dan
accepted the handshake and Bryce grimaced at the sudden pain. “Kaitlin, you
best take your man home and tend to his scratch.”

            “I will and thank you again.”

Once Dan left to see
about dealing with Marcy’s body, Bryce gathered Katy close. “Are you all
right?”

“I should be asking
you that. You’re the one sporting a wound from her attempts. But yes, I’m fine.
Shocked. Dazed. Maybe even a little nauseated, but also relieved to have this
behind me.”

His hand stroked her
back. “It’s hard watchin’ a person die. Just take a deep breath and relax.”

She did as he said
and rested easy in his arms. After a short while, she pulled away and cupped
Bryce’s face, forcing him to look into her eyes.

“I know I’ve been a
pain to work with, and you’ve been most patient with me.”

“You trust me then?”
He placed his hands on her waist and drew her closer.

“With my life.” She
kissed him, pouring all her emotions into showing him her trust.

He pulled away. “I’m
glad. I may be many things, but I’ve never been much of a gold digger. I could
care less whether we excavate for silver or not. Cowboyin’ is in my blood. It’s
who I am.”

“I never thought
different.”

“Good.” He gave her a
brief peck and hugged her. “Then let’s go to the house and mine for a different
type of gold.”

She laughed. “I love
you, Bryce Stanton. You’re my silver lining. We don’t need the gold to make our
lives rich. We just need each other.”

He threw his hat into
the air, unmindful of the dull pain in his arm, and let out a whoop. She loved
him. She’d finally said the words. Now, he considered himself the richest man
alive.

Epilogue

Bryce crawled out of
the stage first and assisted Kaitlin from the cramped interior. She inhaled
deeply once she planted herself on solid ground. If she never saw the rolling
inside of a stage again, it would be too soon. For a brisk day, it had been stifling
hot inside. She fanned her face, enjoying the cool April breeze that touched
her skin.

He escorted her to a
bench under a covered walkway. “Sit here and wait for me. I’ll just head for
the livery and rent us a rig. I didn’t expect us to arrive a day early, so I
know for sure my family didn’t either. I’ll have them set our bags next to you
while I see about that wagon.”

She eyed the hardwood
bench with trepidation. “I think I’ll stand.”

He chuckled. “I’ll be
right back.” With that, he darted off, leaving her alone in a strange town. Not
that she was worried. On the contrary, Bryce would protect her at all costs. He
would return just as he’d claimed, then they’d make their way to his ancestral
home.

Butterflies danced in
her stomach at the thought. Though excited to meet his family at long last, she
also feared their reception. Would they embrace her, or would they think her
odd for her radical views? She squared her shoulders. It wasn’t like her to
worry over someone’s opinion of her and yet...

She peered around the
semi-deserted street, taking in the sights. Brownwood wasn’t anything like
Denver. This city was more rustic, less congested than her hometown. Only one
main street and a few offshoot streets defined the layout for the town.
Storefronts consisted of either wood or stone décor. She glanced over her
shoulder and realized she stood in front of the local milliner’s shop. Smiling,
she peered through the window to peruse the many hats on display.

A woman inside
giggled, and Kaitlin shifted her gaze toward the sound and froze.

Bryce had his arms
wrapped around her in a very possessive hug. An old friend? His sister, Julia,
perhaps? Her eyes narrowed to slits. Old friends didn’t kiss like they were
devouring each other. What on earth?

Kaitlin swung open
the door and marched inside. Before she could rationalize her behavior, she
swung her reticule in a sweeping arch that caught Bryce along his cheekbone.

He broke contact with
the woman and staggered from the assault. “What the hell!”

The woman squealed
then looped her arm through his and touched the red mark on his cheek. “Are you
all right?”

“Well if he’s all
right, then I didn’t hit him hard enough.” She raised the reticule again to
strike, but her wrist was caught in a vise grip.

“Dang, you know
exactly how to endear folks to you, Katy.” Bryce whirled her around to face
him.

“Bryce?” She blinked
then turned her gaze on the other man. “Twins?”

Bryce nodded,
grinning at the fine joke. His brother didn’t seem to find it all that
humorous, though, if his fierce frown was any indication.

Kaitlin blanched.
“I’m so sorry. Bryce failed to tell me he had a twin.”

The other woman
laughed. “Oh my, Bryce, you are just too horrible with your jokes. You haven’t
pulled one on JD like that in forever.”

JD rubbed his jaw.
“Oh yeah, that was mighty funny. I’m gonna laugh all the way home.”

“I’m Rachel, JD’s
wife. I guess that makes us sisters-in-law. You are Bryce’s new wife, right?”
The hope in her voice was unmistakable.

Kaitlin nodded,
warming immediately to the gregarious woman. “Kaitlin, but Bryce calls me
Katy.”

Rachel grasped both
her hands and squeezed. “Don’t know how you put up with Bryce. He’s a handful,
always fooling around.”

Bryce laughed. “Oh,
she has her own special way of handlin’ me.” He winked.

JD smirked. “Let me
guess. A wallop upside your hard head?”

Bryce’s grin faded,
and he punched JD lightly in the shoulder. “Very funny.”

“Enough, you two
roughnecks. Kaitlin is probably exhausted from the trip. Bryce, see to taking
her home, and we’ll follow along shortly.”

Before they left, JD
drew Kaitlin into his arms and gave her a warm hug. “Welcome to the family,
Katy. Any woman that can wallop a punch like that has what it takes to settle
this here hombre.” He slugged Bryce on the shoulder. “We’ll see you two at the
ranch.”

Kaitlin was relieved
by Rachel’s suggestion. Bryce steered her through the door. “I’ve already got
our bags loaded, Mrs. Stanton.”

She nodded and
allowed Bryce to assist her into the buckboard. Once settled, he unset the
brake and motioned the horse into action. The wagon lurched before settling
into a rickety ride. Waiting until they were well on their way to take Bryce to
task for keeping his twin a secret, Kaitlin amused herself by studying the
varied landscape.

Different than her
land, this part of Texas displayed a wealth of gently rolling hills and vast
grassland dotted with large oak trees. Cattle roamed the countryside, reminding
her of the Silver Saddle. A sharp pang of homesickness hit her, stunning her with
its intensity. They’d only been gone a week and already she missed home. More
importantly, she missed Sarge. She grabbed the side when the wheel hit a rut
and grimaced when she came down hard on her seat.

“Sorry about that,”
Bryce said, looking chagrined.

She frowned but said
nothing.

“You mad at me?”

Her brows lifted.
“Mad? What gave you that idea?”

“Look, I never
thought to tell you about JD because it just never really entered my mind. He’s
my brother.” He shrugged. “I tend to just think of him as my brother and not my
walkin’ double.”

“I think it’s a
pretty important detail. After all, we’ve been married for five months, and I’d
think that would be something valid to share with your wife.”

He ducked his head
and stared straight ahead. “Well, since we’re discussin’ secrets, maybe you’d
like to share somethin’ with me?”

Her skin warmed. When
had he found out? She’d hoped to gift him with her surprise for their six-month
anniversary. If he knew already, she’d have to think of another present to give
him. “What secret would that be?” She stalled, thinking maybe he only guessed
at her knowledge.

“You’ve been keeping
something from me for the past month. A husband just knows these things. Care
to share?”

“Why is it that when
I accuse you and get all riled up, you always find a way to turn things around
and put the blame on me?”

“Are we fixin’ to
have one of our misunderstandings?” He waggled his eyebrows. “A little make-up
session would be most welcome. We didn’t get to play much on the train.”

“You’re
incorrigible.”

“But you love me
anyway.”

She sighed. “I’m
doomed. I’ll love you always, even when you keep things like having a twin from
me.”

He laughed. “Now tell
me your secret.”

Folding her hands in
her lap, she gave him a sideways glance. “I’m about to make you the richest man
alive.”

“You’ve already done
that.”