Liberty Belle (41 page)

He whirled his horse and rode to lead his regiment but then stopped and turned. “I left a knife on the other side of camp. Your friend shouldn’t ride until tomorrow. I’ll tie your horses a mile or so up the trail. You do understand, I can’t have a deputy on my tail.” He tipped his hat and spurred his steed.

Wade jumped to his feet. The dull ache in his head rebelled, and he had to lean against the tree to steady himself. “No!”

Wade slumped to the ground. He had to try and save her. He pushed up and stumbled to a large boulder and saw Harley lying on the other side, his shoulder wrapped and bloody.

Sinking to the ground, Wade leaned against the rock. He couldn’t leave Harley to bleed to death, but if he didn’t go he’d never make it in time to save Libby. Desperate, he crawled to where Zeb had pointed out the knife.

###

Eleanor waited until her husband and daughter fell asleep. She clutched the cold metal of the bars.
Father, forgive me for trying to control my life and the lives of my family. For being angry at you for taking my son. Please, I beg you, Lord. Save my daughter.

###

James held his daughter in his arms, thinking of the joy in his soul when she was born, and how he loved her even more now.
Lord, we’ve not spoken a lot. I believe in You, know You’re worthy of respect. I won’t beg for my daughter’s life. But I do ask You to save her from this awful death. If a life is required, take mine. However You see fit, I respect you.

###

Flora knelt beside her bed. “
Father, I know You can save Libby. I ask now, in the precious name of your Son, that You would intervene and save her. I believe You will send a ram like You did for Abraham and Isaac …. God help me in my unbelief.

###

Harley looked to his side and saw Wade slumped against the boulder. He must’ve retrieved the horses. The man should’ve gone and tried to save Libby not wasting time tending his wound.
“God, You better do something. I’m not worth saving. Wade and Libby should have their chance for a life together.”

###

Mark knelt in the hay.
“God, save Miss Libby. If You want, You don’t have to heal my leg but save her instead.”

###

Tobias pushed the thought of whiskey from his mind. The boy’s prayers sobered him. Silently, he gazed at a faraway star.
Do right by that woman, Lord. For the boy’s sake. I’ll quit the drink, if You’ll save her.

###

The sheriff looked out the window into the night.
“Lord, I turned my back on You when You took my Laura. Forgive me. But I know the pain of loss, if it be possible, spare Wade that agony. Let something happen tomorrow to stop the hanging. You know I can’t go against the law. But You can make a way if you’re willing.”

###

Daisy listened to Flora pray. Silently, she bowed her head.
I don’t know You, but I see that Flora does. Please save Libby.

###

Wade surrendered against the rock. After getting the horses, he’d thought about riding out, riding Fuego until he dropped, but he’d heard wolves close by. If he left, Harley would surely die. Honor. Isn’t that what he’d tried to put on Zeb’s shoulders?

He’d always done what he thought right, and lost everything he ever cared about in the doing. That day in the meadow, God’s love had been so real. There had to be a way to save her.

He knelt and bowed his head.
“Father, I don’t know You as well as I want, but I know You’re real. Send my love to Libby. Let her know I love her, that You love her. Comfort her, save her. I love her so.”

###

Libby gazed at her parents. Consoling one another, they’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms. Kneeling on the hard floor, she looked heavenward.
“Father, the day is close. I know coming to You will be glorious, but it’s for those I leave behind that I have requests. Heal Wade’s heart. Let him love again. Give my parents a life of adventure and love together. Forgive the sheriff and town. And me. I did shoot the man. God forgive me for the blood on my hands. For the impulsive way I have gone out on my own to find freedom. I see now that I am only free when I depend on You. My heart and my life are Yours.”

###

Wade held Harley on the horse. They’d ridden through the night. The growing stain on the gambler’s shirt warned he’d done too much already.

“Leave me. Go and ride to her.” Harley’s labored words barely rose above a whisper.

“Can’t. You heard the wolves. They smell the blood and more than likely aren’t far behind.”
Don’t ask again
.
Don’t tempt me.

The click of a hammer pulled back drew Wade’s attention.

The man aimed his gun at Wade’s chest. “Go, I’m not worth saving. She is. Now go or I’ll shoot myself.” Harley whipped the gun around to his head. “Go, now!”

Wade stared into the pained eyes of his friend. “I’ll come back.” Grimacing, he lashed Fuego and rode him hard. Toward town, toward Libby.

The night sky twinkled with stars, and he swore he could hear them urging him on. He spurred the horse’s flanks not sparing the animal. Charging down the trail, Wade kept asking the stallion for more even though rocks flew from his hooves and branches whacked  them both. He soared over a creek and skittered around a bend. In the distance, he saw the town still a long two hours away.

The horse slowed to a trot, his sides heaving, his race done. Wade dropped the reins. The grey sky pinked as if embarrassed, and in minutes yellow sunlight littered the land. His heart stuttered. The only sounds he heard were Fuego’s winded breathing and the condemning voice in his head saying,
too late
.

He’d lost her.

Chapter 42

Sunlight streamed between the bars, and Libby closed her eyes. The day had come. She rose and sadly glanced at her parents still in each other’s arms. She’d made her peace with her Mother, Father, and God. Her life was in His hands now, and she trusted Him to walk out this last morning with her.

All too soon, the sheriff knocked and entered the room with Preacher Harold behind him. “I’m sorry, Libby. It’s time.”

Her parents gasped and rushed to her.

She hugged them, wanting the moment to never end. She held onto her mother and father and drank in their love for her. She heard the sheriff clear his throat. Calling on her faith, she stepped away from them. “Stay here. Remember me from last night. Please?”

Her father nodded, holding her mother to his chest.

She nodded to the sheriff and followed him out of the cell. He bound her wrists behind her back and sighed mournfully. “This is one time I don’t care to see justice done.”

Libby tried to swallow, but there was no moisture in her mouth, none for the words she wanted to say.

Outside, crowds milled in the street and around the gallows. Libby trembled at the sight of the wooden structure that was to bring about her death.

The sheriff gave her a gentle push. “We have to go.”

Behind her, the preacher quoted scriptures.

Libby took a few more steps.

Flora ran to her and swooped her into a hug. “I’m praying, Libby. Remember the ram the Lord provided for Abraham and Isaac.”

Libby nodded and moved forward.

Facing the steps up to the gallows, she looked at the angry throng waiting for justice. She shuddered at the hate on their faces.

“Let’s go.” The sheriff put a hand to her shoulder.

She stepped up on the
first
step. She counted ten in all. She tried to think, but couldn’t focus her thoughts. “Abraham’s ram.”

She took the
second
. “God forgive me.”

On the
third
step, she stumbled. The sheriff caught her arm and steadied her.

Step
four
. “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Five
. “I love you, Wade. Why aren’t you here?” If only she could see him one more time.

Step
six
. “I trust you, Lord.”

Seven
. “God help, me.”

Her knees buckled on the
eighth
. Again, the sheriff gently righted her.

Nine
. “I believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”

Ten
. She was on the platform. Two more steps to the rope that would strangle the life from her. Terror squeezed her throat and heart, and threatened to overtake her.

The sheriff nudged her toward the swaying noose. The twisted rope reminded her of a serpent. A mocking devil testing her hope and faith.

Her heart throbbed with fear. Angry shouts from the crowd jarred her mind. And then out of the mob, she saw Flora.

Love flowed from her aunt.

Libby grabbed hold of the tender mercies of Flora’s faith to strengthen her own. “I trust you, Lord, with all my heart.” The words squeaked out, weak and inadequate.

The sheriff placed the noose around her neck.

Libby stood in a circle of peace. Her face skyward drinking in the love of a God bigger than death.

Shots rang out from the far end of the street. People screamed. The sheriff drew his gun and whirled.

More shots rang out closer.

“Stop the hanging!”

Libby dropped her gaze and saw a uniformed rider in front of the gallows.

The sheriff waved his gun at them. “What do you have to say?”

He looked vaguely familiar. The man nudged his horse forward while leading another horse. On the animal’s back sat a man with his hands tied. “Sir, I have to tell you the lady is innocent. I almost rode on, but when a fellow Southerner is being wrongly accused and about to be hung, I felt it my honor and duty to stop it. My man, here, shot Rowen in the head, and took the knife and money bags. Tell them, Andrew.”

Andrew snarled. “It’s true. She only nicked him.”

The sheriff pulled the noose from her neck. “Thank God.” Then he undid her wrists.

The leader winked at her. “I am sorry we can’t stay. Sheriff, do I have your word that this lady is free?”

“She still stole a horse.”

The man bowed to Libby. “When she takes a better look at the mare, she’ll remember it’s her own horse. Southern Star, I think you called her.”

Libby gasped. That’s where she’d seen him. He was the leader of the gang that robbed the stage coach.

The sheriff rubbed his jaw. “That’s good enough for me. I’ll be coming after you though.”

The captain grinned. “I would think less of you if you didn’t. Honor is often a two-edged sword.”

The crowd started to yell and shout angry threats.

The leader fired his gun into the air followed by more shots from his men that surrounded the mob. “You people listen to me. Terrence Rowen robbed this town blind. He sent his kids off with his mistress along with your money. He bought your allegiance with stolen goods. He wasn’t the saint you admired. We even think he killed his wife. If I hear of this woman being mistreated, my gang will plunder your city. Sheriff, do I have your word of the lady’s safety?”

“You have it.”

The outlaw reined his horse around and then stopped. “I’d leave Andrew with you, but on second thought, I need him. You might want to ride out to the trail leading to the foothills. Your deputy and his friend need a doctor.” He tipped his hat and galloped out of town.

Libby gazed after the riders. Andrew riding away with hands still tied.
The caught ram
. She thanked God. Then the man’s words sank in.
Wade needed help
.

###

Wade dismounted and led the still huffing horse in the direction where he’d left Harley. The mountains called to him and considered riding on. Why go back to Denver?

Mark.

Frowning, Wade shook his head. The boy was no doubt safer on his own. Anywhere away from him. God had taken Libby, and he might take Mark.

The sun conquered the sky, spreading its light over the land. A dove cooed. Wade halted. He’d been so sure he’d made peace with the Lord. What happened? Puzzled, he sat at the edge of a brook and let Fuego rest. He’d nearly ridden the horse to death.

“I believed you, God. Where are you?”

Exhausted and defeated, he stretched out on the banks of the creek. The dove called again. Water trickled over rocks, teasing him with peace.

“Why, God? I loved her so.” A flickering of peace broke through the blackness of his soul. “I’ll go back. Take Mark. And trust You.”

He stayed a few more minutes, then rose to see about Harley.

“Wade.” A voice floated over the air. Familiar. Libby’s? Was she calling from heaven? Was he dead? He felt like it.

“Wade.” The voice was closer.

“Wade.”

If it meant he’d be with her, he didn’t care if he was dead.

Hoofbeats pounded on the trail.

“Wade.”

He felt his chest. He was still breathing. He turned to look down the trail.

Like a dream, Libby rode toward him. In a white dress, her dark hair flowing behind her, she smiled at him. His beautiful wife.

He ran.

“Wade.”

“Libby!” He reached her, lifted her from the horse, and wrapped her in his arms. Warm flesh, his flesh and blood. He kissed her mouth, the tears flowing down her cheeks. She was alive. He held her and gazed into her eyes.

She stared back at him as if he were the only man in the world.

###

“How—”

Libby put a finger to his lips and kissed him. Tears blurred her vision, but she witnessed all she needed to. Saw that he loved her. The heartache and terror slipped into a faraway place. All that mattered stood before her.

More hoofbeats signaled the sheriff and others had caught up. She didn’t care. To feel his arms around her, his lips against hers, she’d never felt so alive.

His finger traced her cheeks. “I thought I’d lost you. How did you … I don’t understand.”