Liberty Belle (33 page)

“You in the building. Hold your fire! Sheriff Bill Winters, coming in.” The sheriff strode into the room, rifle ready. He was short in stature, but his eyes glinted steel.

“You Wade?”

“Yes, sir. The agent’s wounded pretty bad.”

The sheriff pointed to Wade’s side. “Looks like you been hit. Better sit.” He walked to the door. “Get Doc Johnson. Any sign of the others?”

The sheriff limped over to him. On the way, he kicked at the dead outlaw. “Others got away. All I saw was their dust. I’d a gone after them but my fool horse nailed me in the knee. My other deputy is out chasing a no-good loser that sliced up a card shark. Not that the scalawag didn’t deserve a come-uppance, but I got to keep some kind of order or this town’ll come down on our heads.” He leaned against the desk and rubbed his sore leg. “You did some good work, Wade. Saved the town from losing more money from this gang. I could use a man like you. Interested?”

The pain in his side flared. Pulling his hand away, Wade stared at the blood. He checked his wound. Not deep, the bullet had only creased his side. “Yeah, I’m interested. Use to be sheriff at home.” Wade left out the details of how he’d been a good lawmen until he’d thrown down his badge. But that was the past.

“Good. Soon as Doc patches you up, come to the office, and I’ll see you get a badge. That gang has cost Denver plenty. Not the first time they’ve robbed the gold headed east. Usually they strike on the trail. They must have a planned hideout in one of the thousand tents in this city.” He pointed at the dead outlaw. “This one and another one outside won’t be causing any more trouble. Save me the time of hanging ’em.”

The sheriff wiped his handkerchief along the back of his neck. “Have to warn you, Wade. I deal harsh with lawbreakers. Judge Hanson feels the same. We mete out punishment severe and swift. No exceptions.”

Wade nodded. “Seems reasonable for a growing town.” His mind slipped to the meadow and rock. The peace from God. Thinking of picking up the badge, he wondered if God was restoring what he’d lost.

He tried to concentrate on the sheriff’s words, but his mind drifted to Libby. He could have been killed. Missed a life with the woman he loved. Suddenly, nothing mattered but finding her, taking her in his arms, and letting her know he loved her. No more running away.

He stood. “I’ve got something I need to do. I’ll be around to pick up the badge later.”

The sheriff walked to the door and grunted. “Stage is coming. Can’t let them go inside the depot. I’ll meet these people outside. No need for them to get a bad taste for Denver right off. Wait here until they make their way to the hotel. Don’t want the sight of blood to upset their eastern stomachs.”

The sheriff limped to the road and held up a hand. The stage pulled to a stop in front of him. “Folks, we had a little trouble in the stage office so I’m asking everyone to get out here and make your way across the street to the hotel.”

Six men exited, retrieved their bags and passed up the hotel for the nearest bar. A well-dressed middle-aged couple stepped from the coach. The woman looked familiar, but Wade couldn’t place her.

The sheriff tipped his hat and picked up her bag. “I’ll be happy to carry your things, ma’am.” He pointed with his free hand. “This way folks.”

Wade watched the handsome couple. The man lovingly placed his hand on the small of the woman’s back as much a guide as an acknowledgement of his protection for her. Someday, he’d treat Libby that way. Protect her and not let any harm come near her.

The passengers out of the way, Wade walked to Fuego, mounted, and reined the stallion toward Flora’s. His thoughts tumbled. Would she have him? He’d been such a fool to walk away. She hadn’t exactly acted excited to see him earlier when they passed on the street.

Chapter 33

Libby ignored the resident drunken oglers holding up the side of the saloon and climbed the stairs to Flora’s room. The woman had to be there. She needed her. Not that Flora had experience in catching a man, but maybe she’d have some wisdom.

Wade had completely ignored her, and Mother was coming. Pushing away her fears, Libby knocked on the door. Voices on the other side gave her a sense of relief.

A young woman with blonde hair opened the door. “Hello, can I help you?”

Libby’s relief crashed to the ground. “I, I was looking for Flora, my aunt.”

“Oh, Libby. Come in.” Flora came from behind and placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder.

Entering her old room, Libby saw that it was now filled with material, half-sewn clothes draped over chairs, and a cute girl that had apparently replaced her. A tremor in her throat set her lip to quivering. Flora and this stranger acted like old friends.

“Libby, this is Daisy Higgins. She helped Harley pick out our clothes after the storm. I’m teaching her to be a seamstress, and she’s very good.” Flora gave the girl a hug. After giving Daisy a warm smile, Flora grabbed Libby and led her to the small table. “Oh, please sit. I have missed you so.”

Fighting tears, she hugged her aunt and sat. “I hoped you’d go shopping with me.”

“I need to finish this dress for Mrs. Thurgood. Wait while I put in the last stitch.”

Libby pulled the envelope from her pocket. “I got a letter from home. Mother and Father are on their way to Denver and will be here any day.” Her thoughts whirled.

Turning to Flora’s helper, she forced a smile. “Please forgive me, Daisy. I’m afraid my day is not going according to plan.” Again, Libby’s lips began to quiver, halting her words. She didn’t want to break into tears in front of a stranger.

The girl, maybe sixteen, swept a blouse from the seat and sat beside her. “Flora has told me so much about you. I hope we can be friends.”

Libby nodded, the tears still too close to escaping.

“There. All finished.” Flora hovered over them like a hen with her chicks. “What’s wrong, dear? Is it your job? Wade?”

The sniffles came first, and then the dam holding her tears broke. “I l-l-love Wade.” She grasped the hanky Flora offered and dabbed at the flood. “I planned to ignore him so he would want me. But
he
ignored
me
. What am I going to do? Now Mother is coming, and she is still intent on my marriage to Thomas. I ca-an’t. I want W-wade.”

Flora and Daisy wrapped their arms around her.

“Oh, Libby. The man is smitten by you. Trust me. If he ignored you, he had reason. I see the way he looks at you.”

“Y-y-you think so?”

“Why, yes. I was just telling Daisy that I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if I find myself sewing you a wedding dress. And soon.”

The words warmed Libby’s heart and stalled her tears. “I do love him. I knew it the first time I saw him.” She patted Daisy’s hand. “The day I was jilted.”

Girlish titters brightened her mood as she told her story.

Libby gasped and stared at Flora. “Mother always chided me for being impulsive and rightly so most of the time. I wanted to be independent, but now I can’t imagine living without Wade. I am such a mess.”

Flora giggled. “You are in love. Don’t worry, God has a plan for your life. I believe He meant for you to get out from under your mother’s controlling ways so you could find God’s way. And Wade.”

Daisy chuckled. “I agree with Flora.”

“I have been praying.” Libby smiled at the memories of the sweet times of peace she’d been having with the Lord.

Flora peeked over her spectacles. “I’ve been praying for you, too. I believe you need to trust your life to God.”

“Yes, you’re right.” A troubling shadow dropped over her. With a hand to her forehead, she brushed away the feeling. She would trust the Lord. He’d take care of her.

###

Wade tied Fuego to the post and tugged at the ear of the old brown horse he’d seen pulling Libby’s buggy. He wanted to run up the stairs, but the pain in his side slowed his pace to a grimacing trudge.

Atop the steps, he stopped and raked a hand through his hair, hoping he’d look respectable. Heart thumping, he knocked and waited.

The young woman that helped Flora opened the door, giggled, and shut it in his face.

Wade wondered what was wrong but didn’t get through two thoughts before the door swung open. He swallowed, and his voice disappeared. Libby stood in front of him with a blush on her cheeks and welcome in her eyes.

“Wade, I’m so glad you’re here. I mean … I’ve missed you.” Her cheeks reddened even more, and she stepped back. “Did you come to pick up mending?”

“Mending? No. I came to see you.”

She brightened and eased onto the porch. “You did?”

Flora came to the door. Suddenly, she paled, and pointed. “Oh dear. Wade, what have you done to your side?”

Libby stared at his bloodied shirt, and the color drained from her face. “Is that blood?”

“Just a scratch.” He took her hand and her soft skin melted his heart and mind. “Can we talk. Go somewhere?”

Flora shooed them inside. “First we’re going to see about that
scratch
. Daisy, get some water and bandages, and tell Harley I’ve finished hemming his pants.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Blond hair flying, the girl skittered out the saloon-side door.

Wade frowned. “You think she’s safe in the saloon?”

Flora pushed him to a chair. “Harley will watch out for her. I found her working in the kitchen and convinced him it wasn’t proper for a young woman like Daisy to work in his saloon. He wisely agreed to let me teach her to sew.”

Libby laid a hand on his shoulder. “What happened?”

“A little trouble at the stage depot.” He grimaced as Flora helped him out of his soiled shirt. Why hadn’t he cleaned up before seeing Libby?

“I have a new job as deputy sheriff.” He groaned. A woman accustomed to a life of ease was surely not going to be impressed.

Flora held his garment as if it were a varmint. With wrinkled nose, she peered at his side. “Oh. That’s a nasty wound.” Swallowing hard, Flora collapsed onto the nearest chair. “I guess we should clean it.”

Wade doubted Flora could rise from her chair much less touch his wound. How did he get himself in this predicament? All he’d wanted to do was talk to Libby, alone. Now here he was with his shirt off and surrounded by females. The embarrassment alone could kill him.

Just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, Daisy bounded into the room followed by a scowling Harley carrying a pitcher of water.

Wade started to rise. Libby gently pressed him back. She took a cloth from Daisy, dipped it in the pitcher, and gently patted his side. When she sat in the chair next to him, his heart beat so fast he feared it might explode out of his chest.

Eyes wide and cheeks red, Libby patted his wound with the damp cloth. She gazed at him. “You were shot?” Her face shone like an angel’s.

Harley poured more water into a bowl. “Seems Wade is a hero. Saved the depot from being robbed.” Harley scowled like a gambler on a losing streak.

Wade started to say something, but the dreamy expression on Libby’s face stopped him. With a tender touch, she cleaned the wound. Finished, she wrapped a bandage around his side. The feel of her delicate hands on his skin ignited flames deep inside. He’d get shot regularly if Libby tended him. The wound didn’t even sting. At least if it did, he wasn’t feeling any pain.

Harley cleared his throat. “I’ll be back later for the pants. I’m busy.”

Wade kept his gaze on Libby. He didn’t need to look at Harley to know the man had given up. The slammed door was proof enough the gambler had thrown in his hand. One problem taken care of.

Flora handed him a clean shirt. “I’ll repair and wash your old one."

“Thanks, I’ll pay as soon as I can.”

With gentle hands, Libby helped him into the blue shirt. Fingers trembling, she focused on fastening the buttons.

He lifted her chin and stared into her green eyes. “I’d like to take you to a special place I found.”

The pink returned to her cheeks. “I … I would like that.”

“Flora, I’m borrowing your niece for a while.” He took Libby’s soft hand, led her to the porch, and down the stairs. She didn’t speak but followed meekly. On the last step, Wade stopped her. “Wait here.”

Eyes moist, she nodded.

He untied Fuego, mounted, and rode to her with his arm outstretched. “Miss Libby Longstreet will you kindly step aboard?”

###

Libby wanted to pinch herself to make sure this wasn’t a dream. Instead, she grabbed hold of Wade. As if she were a feather, he drew her to him and set her in front of him. With his arms on either side of her, he reined the horse into the street.

Words escaped her. If she’d tried to talk, she feared she’d cry. Not for grief, but joy. She’d come to Flora’s believing she’d lost Wade and now rested against his chest. This must be God’s plan.

“I found a special place and wanted to show you.” His voice, deep with passion, sent a shiver of enchantment through her.

“Wade, I’ll—”

“Shh. Just another mile.”

She’d traveled west to be independent and find a man who would give her love and adventure. In Wade’s arms, safe against his chest, she was home.

The horse’s hooves clattered over the rocky surface, and surged up a hill, forcing against Wade’s chest. Libby relished the secure feeling of his arms around her, his strong heartbeat, and promise of his protection and love.

“We’re here.” Wade dismounted. Smiled up at her, grasped her around the waist, and lifted her from the saddle.

She couldn’t take her eyes from him.

He gave her a slight frown and swept his arm at the vista. “I searched hard to find this view, and you’re not even giving it a glance.”

Libby turned. In the distance, majestic mountains pointed to the heavens, while a sparkling blue creek ribboned through a lush, green meadow dotted with purple and yellow wildflowers.

Nice
, but being with Wade had already stolen her breath. Her gaze slid to his. She put a hand to his face, traced her fingers along his cheek, and stopped at his lips.

She longed for another kiss.

Gently, he kissed her fingers and then led her to a boulder. With a serious stare, he gestured for her to sit on the rock.