Katie: Bride of Virginia (American Mail-Order Brides 10) (16 page)

A scream ripped from his throat as he kicked her, knocking her to the floor. She landed on her back, air swooshing from her lungs. Dazed she lay there, disappointment surging through her that she'd missed his neck. Pointing the gun at her, he screamed, “Get in the chair or I'll shoot you right now.”

Slowly she rose from the floor. “Frank, stop you'll never get away with this.”

“Shut up. Yes, I will.”

“Daniel will come after me. He'll find me and he'll kill you.”

For some reason, she suddenly knew the words were true. She'd made a mistake leaving him and not fighting to help him realize she wasn't the one doing the damage. She should have stayed and fought for the vineyard, for Daniel.

#

Elated with the news of learning who had killed Eloise, and attempting to destroy the vineyard, Daniel hurried into the house, knowing he owed his wife an apology. When he opened the door, silence greeted him.

No lights were burning, no smells coming from the kitchen, no laughter or even the sound of Katie walking about. Hurrying into the parlor, he saw the tea pot and cookies still sitting where they'd been earlier this morning. A heavy quietness hung over the house and his heart clenched in pain.

He'd let his temper get the better of him and acted like a fool in front of the ladies from church. He knew he'd embarrassed Katie and she'd done nothing wrong. He'd let his fears from the past overwhelm his good judgement and possibly ruin his chance at happiness.

Hurrying up the stairs, he threw open their bedroom door. The bed was made, the room tidy, everything looked the same. Pulling open the armoire he saw her clothes were gone. He yanked open her drawers in the dresser, empty. Her tattered carpetbag was gone.

Defeated he trudged down the stairs. Katie had been a light that brightened his home, his life, his very existence, and he'd made a huge mistake in accusing her of damaging the vineyard.

She'd done nothing but try to make his home and his life a happier place, while he accused her of wrong doing. Just like people blamed him for Eloise's death.

Walking into his mother's bedroom, he saw her sitting in her chair staring out the window at the snow that had begun to fall.

“You treated her badly. She left you.”

“I know. When did she leave?”

“Over an hour ago. She's already on the train on her way back to Lawrence. I didn't like her at first, but she's a good woman. She's a good wife for you.”

“I know. I love her, and I'm going after her,” he said.

His mother glanced up at him. “Good. She's a wonderful woman. So much better than Eloise.”

He smiled. “I love Katie, Mom.

“I know, son. Go get her and bring her home. Even if you have to go to Lawrence. I'll be fine.”

Shocked at his mother's words, he hurried out the door. Never before would his mother have wanted him to leave her for several days, and this time she was telling him to go.

Running out of the house, he pulled loose the reins of his horse and climbed into the saddle. He was going after his wife and confront Frank. The man was not getting away with what he'd done.

Chapter Twelve

R
iding into town, Daniel knew the hour was late. All the shops and restaurants were closed and very few people were on the streets. When he rode up in front of the train depot, he saw his horse and buggy. She was gone. Disappointment filled him and with a weary heart he slid off his horse and walked over to the buggy.

He stared at her suitcase sitting in the floorboard and relief flowed through his veins like water. But where was she? Gazing around the town he noticed Frank's office had a light shining from the window. Maybe she went to speak with Frank. Telling him she was leaving.

His heart all but stopped beating at the thought of her being with Frank. The man he had been friends with disappeared, replaced by a conniving man who would harm anyone to get what he wanted. Including his best friend.

Fear for Katie had his feet running across the street, he opened the door and strode into Frank's office. Katie sat tied to a wooden chair, her big green eyes staring at him with fear, shaking her head, her mouth stuffed with a rag.

“What the hell?”

“Stop,” Frank demanded. “I hadn't exactly planned on you coming to the party, but maybe it's best this way.”

Daniel stared at Frank. “I should warn you that I know everything.”

Shaking his head, Frank aimed a gun at Daniel. “You killed the woman I loved. Eloise was leaving you for me. And you pushed her out into the snow.”

“No, Frank, I didn't. Jack Edwards, the foreman you recommended, was arrested this afternoon for her death. He was blackmailing her because he saw the two of you together. He opened his mouth and sang like a bird, telling me everything. You hired him after her death to ruin the vineyard.”

Frank's face turned red. “You're lying to protect yourself.”

“You were having an affair with my wife. She was leaving me to go to you, until Jack killed her,” Daniel said, advancing toward Frank. Knowing he had to save Katie, she was an innocent. “You're the one behind the destruction of the vineyard. We were partners. Friends.”

Frank's eyes widened. “You killed the woman I loved. I could sell that land for double the value and I have every intention of getting rid of it once I kill you.”

“Is it too hard for you to believe you were wrong? That Jack is the killer? He's sitting in jail at this moment, telling the sheriff everything. Including your part in the destruction of the vineyard. Do you want to add murder to your list of crimes as well?”

He waved the gun in his hand at Daniel.

“Shut up! Change of plans. I'm going to kill Katie. I'm going to kill you and make it appear as if you had a lovers quarrel, which everyone in town knows you did. No one will question whether you killed Katie or not,” Frank said, walking towards Daniel.

Daniel noticed his shoulder was hanging at an odd angle and blood was oozing down his shirt. “What happened to your shoulder? Looks like someone stabbed you.” He lowered his voice. “Remember how we wrestled in college? Remember how I always won?”

Frank's eyes widened and with a scream he lifted the gun.

Seeing the weapon aimed at his chest a spark of fear zinged up Daniel's spine. He dropped and rolled on the floor, slamming into Frank's legs, knocking him down. The gun exploded. Wrestling on the floor, he grabbed Frank's wounded arm, and yanked it behind him while Frank screamed in pain.

Daniel twisted the gun from his hand. Doubling up his fist, he punched him in the face and he slumped unconscious on the ground. When Daniel saw Frank was out, he stood and hurried to Katie. He yanked the cloth from her mouth.

“Are you all right?”

“I'm fine,” she said. “So glad to see you. I should never have left you and the vineyard. I should have stayed and fought for you.”

Quickly he untied her and then pulled her into his arms. “No, you were right to leave. I'm sorry, Katie. I should never have come in and yelled at you this afternoon. Please forgive me.

“I was wrong to think you were the one doing the damage to the vineyard. I know it was Jack and Frank. When I came home the house was cold and empty without you. I love you, Katie, I want to spend my life with you. Have babies and grow old, please forgive me. Stay and I promise I'll trust you from now until eternity.”

She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, Daniel. Almost as soon as I got to town, I regretted leaving. I love the life we're creating together. I want to be by your side and learn about wine and raise your children.”

He smiled at his mail-order bride, his heart filled with warmth.

“I love you Katie Maverick O'Malley. You've stormed into my life and filled it with sunshine and laughter, and please don't ever leave me ever again. I need you.”

She laughed. That delightful sound that always made him smile. “I love you, Daniel. I love our vineyard and think we will have a very bright future selling wine and raising grapes and children.”

Squeezing her tightly to him, he kissed the tip of her nose and then her lips. “I'm ready to take you home, where you belong.”

With a smile she wrapped her arm around his waist and then she pulled back, her eyes widening. “Daniel, I found signed contracts. All they needed was your signature.”

“They're invalid. We won't lose the vineyard. I'll never sign.”

He closed his eyes. His best friend, a person he considered his brother. Frank's betrayal consumed him, filling him with rage, his stomach clenching. He hated that his best friend, a man he trusted, tried to ruin him.

A noise from behind startled Daniel and as he whirled seeing Frank reaching for the gun. He raised it toward Katie and he stepped in front of her as the gun went off.

The sound of a second shot, surprised him as the bullet slammed into his shoulder and he was falling towards the floor. He slumped onto his wife's soft body, managing to break his fall to keep from hurting her.

Pain radiated from his shoulder as the sheriff rushed into the office. Darkness started to descend and he heard Katie screaming. “No.”

#

December 20, 1890

Dear Genny and Julia,

So much has happened since my last letter. I would tell you about the events, but then you would worry about me, so I'm just going to tell you that our home is happy and filled with love.

Even Mother O'Malley has changed and we are good friends. Sometimes there are reasons why people are so angry and I learned she had every reason to be unhappy. But that is all in the past and Daniel and I are so blessed.

I'm expecting our first child sometime in late August. We're both excited and his mother is busy knitting blankets for the little one. I'm thrilled to be starting our family and can't wait to see our child.

Of course, I worry with the death of my family that my child could become an orphan, but I try not to let those thoughts intrude. And even if it happens, I know my mother and father's presence is what guided me. If the worst happens, I will guide this child as well.

I thank the good Lord every day for sending me to Daniel. He's become an excellent husband who I love so very much. Though the first months was extremely rocky, we have now settled the issues and are partners building our wine business, preparing for the future.

May this letter find both of you happy and celebrating the holidays. As always, I miss you and hope if ever you are near, you will spend time at our home. I know with the baby coming, I won't be able to visit you, but someday, my friends, we will be reunited.

As always, I keep you in my prayers and know the factory fire we all hated was a blessing in disguise. Happy holidays to you and yours.

Much love,

Katie

#

New Year's Eve, Daniel stared at the people seated at their dinner table. His wife had once again outdone herself. The atmosphere was happy and everyone was celebrating the holidays.

His shoulder was still bandaged but healing nicely, though his wife would not let him do anything strenuous around the vineyard. But his new foreman had kept things running and came to the house every day to give him a full report on the vines and even the wine.

His mother was happier than she'd been in years. She seemed to be thriving with the company they were now having since he had been completely cleared in Eloise's death. And while he hated that Frank, his best friend had been killed by the sheriff, he couldn't help but think the man he'd been friends with had ceased to exist years ago.

Jack Edwards confessed to killing Eloise and was on trial for her murder. Daniel was relieved to finally put this all behind him, and felt relieved Eloise would receive justice for her premature death.

Next year looked to be the best year the vineyard had to date, but there was something even more exciting to look forward to and he couldn't wait to tell everyone.

He rose from the dinner table and walked over to the chair where his wife sat. He stood in front of her, gazing at her bemused expression. “Thank you all for spending New Year’s Eve with my family. My wonderful mother, Betty. Katie, my ray of sunshine, I love so very much and have a surprise for.”

He turned her chair to face him. “When you got off the train, I had no intention of marrying you that day. When I look back and think I almost let you go, it frightens me. We had a rushed ceremony and I had no ring. You never even received a proper proposal of marriage from me, just a letter Frank had written.”

Sighing he dropped to one knee, pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it to a sparkling band with tiny diamonds surrounding an emerald. Katie’s eyes widened and her hands flew up to her face. “I want to make it up to you. Katie Maverick O’Malley, will you do me the honor and marry me again, in a church this time?”

She threw her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear. “Of course, I will. And it would be wonderful to have a ceremony with your mother and our friends there. And baby O’Malley growing inside me.”

He leaned back and slid the ring on her hand. She kissed him on the lips, as a tear slid down her cheek.

“I love you, Daniel.”

He smiled. “Don’t ever leave me, Katie, I have more love for you than my heart can hold.

Sighs were heard around the table and several of the women were wiping their eyes, including his mother.

He stood and pulled Katie to her feet. Picking up his wine glass he raised it in the air and everyone followed his example. “A toast to my lovely bride. We've been blessed this year and next year looks to be the best year ever for both our vineyard and our personal lives. My beautiful wife is expecting our first child sometime next summer and I couldn't be happier. To the coming year.”

When life looked so very bleak, Frank had brought him Katie, his bright ray of sunlight that had chased away his demons and helped him clear his name. Katie, his American Bride.