Authors: Michelle Woodward
“Durant!” Jeb held his gun steady, aimed directly at the man’s head. Frank stopped in his tracks, his hands hovering over his gun belt. Jeb kept a close eye on the other men.
“Durant, there’s been enough bloodshed. I’m going to make you a deal. You leave town right now. Just take off. You leave and never come back, and I’ll let you live another day. Boys,” he added, addressing the hired guns, “You don’t need to get cut down for this man. There’s no reason you need to die.”
Frank didn’t move. “So I just walk on out and you’ll let me go- just like that?”
“You have my word.”
“Well.” He seemed to think it over. “All right then. You’re a fair man, Jeb Bradford. I’ll give you that.”
A crashing sound of pottery momentarily distracted Jeb and he looked up when he heard the clatter. Frank took the opportunity to draw and fire.
The bullet grazed Jeb’s cheek. It burned as it cut the skin. Almost reflexively, he squeezed the trigger on the rifle, and Frank Durant flew backwards, slamming into the wall behind him.
A man behind the bar tried to go for his gun, but Jeb cried out to him, holding out a hand. “Wait! Stop where you are.”
The bartender held very still, weighing his options. “I’m listening. Go on.”
“My business is done. I’ll give you the same deal I gave Frank, and I mean it. Come on, fellas. There’s other towns, other jobs. I’ll even give you time to pack. Just leave your guns where they are.”
The survivors looked at one another. The bartender walked away from his weapon, hands up. They all began shuffling by him, looking down and leaving quickly.
After they’d all gone, Jeb had a chance to look up at the second floor. Louisa was standing there, looking winded and relieved. “You’re here!” She called out in surprise.
“I am, Miss Louisa. And I see you’ve managed your own escape.”
“That I have.” She replied, and hurried down the stairs to him. “But I always appreciate your good help, Mr. Bradford!”
###
“This is nice.” Louisa proclaimed as they sat down by the river. Jeb had taken her by horseback to the quiet spot beneath a large shade tree.
“I’d hoped you’d feel that way, Miss Louisa.” He said. Jeb spread out a blanket and began to set out a spread of bread, cheese, meat, and fruits.
“I hope you aren’t too confident in yourself, Mr. Bradford.”
He chuckled. “I’d never be so bold. I do think at this point in our acquaintance it would be fine if you just called me Jeb, Miss Louisa.” He sat and offered a hand.
She sat down on the blanket beside him. “Very well, Jeb. But you must also call me Louisa.”
“I’ll do that, ma’am. Louisa, I mean. It may take a little getting you used to.”
“I don’t mind if you don’t, Jeb.” She murmured.
They sat quietly, enjoying their meal and watching the river roll by. Louisa was grateful for the silence. The violence and horror of the month before had unnerved her in many ways. But with Frank Durant’s reign of terror now a thing of the past, Oak Ridge was becoming a real town again. Business at the Daisy was booming. The Lucky Star hadn’t shut down overnight, but it’s activities were limited to being little more than a watering hole. The Sheriff had decided to enforce the law again, enforcing a curfew and putting an end to the gambling and the brothel. Things had gotten much better overall, as the last of the worst element went on to other parts of the West.
“You know, my sister has a funny idea.” Jeb said after they’d finished. “She thinks I might be falling in love with you.”
Louisa smiled, but her smile faded. “You shouldn’t tell jokes like that, Jeb.”
“I’m not joking. It’s what Ann thinks. She said as much after church services this past Sunday. Says it’s the way I look at you.”
Louisa’s gaze met his own green eyes. “And what do you think?”
“I think she’s right.” Jeb said, leaning into kiss her.
As their lips met, Louisa felt intense love and joy move through her body. She reached up to touch his hair and placed her hand on his broad shoulders. They grew closer together, holding each other. When their kiss ended, she felt surprised to find she was crying.
“What’s the matter?” Jeb asked, brushing away her tears from her cheek.
“I- I don’t know what I did to deserve this. I didn’t honestly expect love when I came out here. Thomas’ letters… your letters… they gave me hope that I’d find something more when I finally escaped Baltimore. I didn’t expect much. Maybe some security, a place to call home. But with you, I feel more than that. I would have never believed that could be real joy in my lifetime.”
Jeb held her close once more. “You can have all of that. You’re a good soul, Louisa Forest. I want to make you happy for the rest of our lives together. Would you… would you stand up, please?”
She was confused by this. “Why?”
He chuckled. “I think the traditional way to do this is for you to be standing while I’m on one knee.”
Louisa drew in her breath sharply. “You’re serious?”
He got to one knee and fumbled in his pocket. She stood, trembling before him.
“It’s not a fancy ring. I wanted to get you something prettier, a bigger rock.” He showed her the ring.
She didn’t know what to say as she looked down at the piece of jewelry he held in his hand.
“Louisa Marie Forest, will you be my wife?”
She enveloped her warm hands around his calloused ones. “I will. I’ll marry you, Jeb.”
They stayed together by the river for a long time until the sun went down and the darkness began to overtake them. They rode away, happy and ready to make plans for their new life together.
###
Uncle Jim’s wake was a major event in the life of the community, as was befitting a man who’d lived to the ripe old age of 89. Everyone had turned out. Gertie made it, despite the fact she was wheelchair bound. For that, Louisa was grateful.
“I know what a bother it is for you to have to come out like this with your arthritis, Gert.” She said, welcoming her to the ranch.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Gertie told her, allowing one of Louisa’s children, young Thomas Bradford, to wheel her about. “Uncle Jim was a good man. One of the last of the pioneers of this town, you know.”
“I suppose that’s right.” She allowed. walking beside her.
The spread was offered in the barn, a huge affair with cornbread, roasted chickens, and steaming baked potatoes alongside rows of pies. Thomas tried to abandon the wheelchair and go for food right away, but Louisa admonished him.
“You see to it Gertie gets a proper place at the table before you try any such foolishness young man.”
“Sorry, ma. Didn’t mean anything by it.” He apologized.
Gertie smiled up at the woman. “I swear, he’s looking a bit more like his father every day.”
White-haired Jeb Bradford came up behind her then, stroking his short-trimmed beard. “I don’t know about that. I see a bit of Louisa in all the children.”
“I’ll allow that’s true enough.” Gertie agreed.
The family took their places around the table, as practically all the town sat as well.
“Father,” young Rebecca asked Jeb, “Is it good that Uncle Jim lived to see the new century?”
“I should say so.” He agreed. “He had said often enough that he hoped he’d have the opportunity to know what the world looked like in 1900. It’s a different world, to be certain. It is certainly no longer the West we knew when we first settled these lands.”
Louisa nodded her agreement. The Lucky Star had been torn down long ago, as had most of the original buildings along Main Street. The Daisy’s building still stood, but the restaurant had become a bank. The church was among one of the few original buildings left during the wave of great change that had taken place with the increased settlement of Colorado.
She looked down the table at the line of family members and acquaintances, looking for friendly faces. Ann had come from Denver, where she had married and had children of her own. It was wonderful to see her, she thought. Surprising everyone, Bob Tate had come to town as well, though he was only a little younger than Uncle Jim and was having trouble getting around.
Jeb felt like a few words should be said, so he stood up. “I want to thank you all for coming to pay your respects. Louisa and I have come to feel you’re not just neighbors. You’re all family.
“Uncle Jim was loved by everyone. He had a big heart and was the most loyal, kind man I ever knew. He taught me everything I needed to know about raising a family and running a ranch. He’ll always be missed.”
Several people stood and gave stories about times spent with Uncle Jim before it was agreed that it was okay to start in with the meal.
The meal finished, it was time to catch up and for well-wishers to tell their best Uncle Jim stories. Louisa took Jeb aside as this was going on, worried for her husband.
“Are you doing okay?” She asked as they stepped away from the crowd. He was gazing out at the lonely river far and away on their property.
“I am doing fine. Thanks for asking, Louisa. I was just thinking of the days after we first met.”
“Do you regret any of it?” She asked, snuggling up to him.
“No. One of these days, we’ll have to tell the kids about everything that happened. They’re too young still, I suppose.”
“Don’t think they haven’t heard rumors.” The shooting of Frank Durant and the events surrounding that day had become local legend. Some people were convinced Jeb and Louisa had killed no less than 20 desperate cowboys in their effort to free the town from an evil influence.
“We’ll set the record straight when the time is right.” Jeb agreed. “One thing I’m sure about, though. I’m glad I asked you to marry me.”
“And I’m glad I said yes. You’ve given me everything I ever hoped for. A new life, happiness, and a good home on these fruitful plains.”
THE END
Samantha looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She should be overjoyed; it was her younger sister’s engagement party and she couldn’t be happier for her. Samantha was 5’8” tall and felt like the jolly green giant most of the time. She wasn’t exactly fat, but she was definitely no stick figure like her sister. She had a body that was toned with sports and an athletic childhood. She had been daddy’s little girl, out shooting hoops while her more dainty sister had dragged their mother to the ballet and music lessons. She wouldn’t change her childhood for anything. She had grown up happy with lots of friends and could shoot hoops better than most men.
She was just beginning to realize that there was more to life than football and the next swoosh basket. She felt something missing from her life and as she watched her sister and her soon-to-be brother in law, she finally realized just what her life was missing - a man. Sure, she had experience in bed with men, and she was certainly no virgin, but every encounter she had seemed to end badly. Her first time was with a guy who she found out later only slept with her to get close to her sister. When her sister found out, all hell broke loose and the boy finally retreated from the two of them with tears in his eyes. Her sister was ultimately her best friend, apart from the two guys she now lived with. Her roommates were a couple of Samantha’s most favorite people on Earth..
Jason was the executive business guy and had more money than her and Drew put together and multiplied. Drew worked with Samantha at the local foot locker. Jason was some big time advertiser and when they sat down to divide the bills evenly, her and Drew had found out that Jason had purchased the house they lived in and refused to accept any money from them. In the end, her and Drew split the utilities every month which left more than enough in her pocket. The “three amigos”, as her mother called them, met on the field. She had signed on as a referee for the county football team and had walked onto the field with pride and her head held high. She could laugh when she saw the faces of the other two referees. Both Jason and Drew had apparently thought that the new ref named “Sam” was going to be a man, which was the reason she had put Sam on her application to begin with. That was the problem with living in a small town: they didn’t think that women knew anything about football and sports. That day she showed both of them and all the men sitting in the stands who had something smart to say about her being in the referee uniform that day. The guys took her for a drink after the kids’ game and from that day forward the three of them were the best of friends.
Now, two years later, they all shared a house together and Saturdays were still spent at the field all day long watching the kids play ball. She just wished they were here with her, at her sister’s engagement party. Everything just seemed better when they were around; their presence always had a way of making her feel more at ease.
Samantha heard the music start up as she saw her sister and her fiance walk into the large ball room of the hotel. The food was set out buffet style and there were little round tables set up everywhere for guests to sit and enjoy the food. In the middle of the room was a dance floor. Sam sat back and smiled as she watched her sister being whisked around by Bobby, her fiancé. She looked so happy and she waved happily as she looked at Sam. Not being able to ignore her, she shared in her sister’s exuberance and waved back happily to her.
Her sister was one of a kind, and Sam, for one was happy that she got the fairy tale ending that girls usually only dream of. Her sister had met her fiancé at a coffeehouse one morning. From what Sabrina said, Bobby had walked right into her and her sister spilt her latte all down the front of his gorgeous Armani suit. He laughed at her high-pitched screech of embarrassment and had taken the blame for the incident even though Sabrina knew damn well it was her fault. He told her that he wanted to make amends and take her to dinner. Sabrina ultimately said yes, and it was a year ago when they went on their first dare.
Bobby was born into money and he catered to Sabrina’s every wish. Although he had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he never let it show and never looked down his nose at anyone. Her family wasn’t poor, but they weren’t part of the high and mighty either. He had taken all of them to clubs for lunch and had taken dad fishing a couple times at the clubs as well as setting mom up with a few friends there to get back into playing tennis with. Everyone was happy and content with the match, including his parents who adored her sister. They told Sam numerous times that they had quite a few nephews that they would love to see her go out with. She turned them all down graciously, telling them that she was content. When she did finally agree, after months of Bobby begging her to go on a date with his cousin, she regretted it. The guy ended up being nothing like Bobby. He was basically a snob, and from the moment he walked into her home and met her roommates, it all went downhill and ended up with her walking out of the restaurant and calling Drew to come and get her. She wouldn’t give up the two best friends she had for anyone. If she did meet a guy, then he would have to welcome the whole package, Samantha and her roommates with open arms.
The music slowed down and couples started gathering on the floor. She looked on with joyous and admiring eyes as her father held her mother in his arms. Thirty years of marital bliss stood in front of her. She glanced over at the other couples finally resting on her sister and Bobby. Her sister was laughing up into his face. She smiled at the obviously happy couple.
“Why are you standing here all alone? You should be out there with someone. Come on.” She turned to see Jason standing there in an expensive looking coat. He grinned down at her. She looked beside him to see Drew in a suit smiling.
“I get the next one.” He winked at her. She laughed at him.
“What are you two doing here? I didn’t think you could come.”
“Now, we know how important this was to you Sam. Do you really think we would miss little Sabrina’s engagement party.” Jason grinned down at her as he pulled her onto the floor. “You look amazing.”
Sam was wearing a black cocktail dress that reached just above her knees. The V neck came a little lower than she normally wore, and the back, well there wasn’t much there except a few strings crisscrossing back and forth. She had on heels and she loved that even with the heels on Jason and Drew both towered over her making her feel small and dainty, even though she knew she was far from it. The strange thing was that when the two men were around, her size didn’t matter; their simple presence made her feel great about herself. They made her laugh and although she felt like one of the guys, they made her feel like a woman at the right times. Jason circled her around the dance floor over and over until the song finally ended.
She was walking off the floor when Drew walked up in front of her. Grabbing her arm he pulled her back on the floor. “My turn, sweetness. Good lord Sam. You look good enough to eat tonight.” He grinned at her.
“Oh stop Drew. I know damn well that you will be going off with one of these girls tonight to have some fun.” She laughed at him.
“True, but we both know they won’t be the one that I want.” She expected to find him laughing and joking with her. He always flirted with everyone including her. That’s just who Drew was. A big flirt, but when her eyes met his they were serious. There was no grin or laughing in his eyes or on his face as she looked at him. She decided to ignore it and tried to look away but his hand caught her chin and brought her face back around to his. His thumb caressed her chin and she felt the air leave her chest. Everything else stood still as she looked at him.
“Hey, your song’s over buddy. I think someone else may want a dance.”
The voice broke the spell and she looked over to see Jason looking at both of them. There was a strange expression on his face as he looked at Drew then herself and then his eyes traveled down her torso and then back up to meet her eyes again.
“I think there are a few men over there looking at you my dear. I have already informed them they can have one dance each. They also know that they can look but they can’t touch.”
“What are you my father?” Her hands instinctively went to her hips.
“No. We both know that I am much more than that. We both are.” He looked at her intensely.
“Samantha right?” She turned to see a tall man standing there beside them. He was attractive in his own way with wavy brown hair and a goatee.
“Yes.”
“Can I have this dance?” She looked down to see his hand outstretched towards her. With one look at both of her roommates, she took his hand and let him lead her out onto the dance floor. He smiled down at her and she felt feminine for the first time in a long time. She looked over to smile at her two best friends, but both stood there with scowls on their faces. Their arms were folded in front of them and they didn’t look too happy. Finally a group of young women came over to chat them up and they turned their attention to them. Sam looked back at the man who she was dancing with. The song was slow and sounded like it was Whitney Houston. Regardless, it had an easy melody that she glided to and laughed when he spun her out and then back in again. Then both of his hands rested at the top of her hips and felt apparently more intimate than a moment before. He had dark brown eyes and he smiled sweetly down at her and drew her even closer. Sam let him gather her closer and laid her head on his shoulder giving in for once, not being so uptight and worried about what others thought. Here was a man who apparently liked her and wanted her attention. Why not enjoy it? The problem was every few minutes she felt eyes on her. It was like a sixth sense that someone wasn’t pleased with her behavior. When she glanced over she would see either Jason or Drew glaring at her. It was like she had two watch dogs trying to protect her from intruders.
After the dance, the man she was with, who she found out was named Paul, led her over to the large fountain of punch. She knew Bobby and knew that he had only ordered the best. There were no children there that night, which meant the punch drink definitely had alcohol in it. After two glasses she knew she should stop. The buzzing in her head and the giggles that came forth with everything her company said caused her to stop and question what she was doing. She was way past tipsy when she felt him guiding her to his car. Before she knew what was going on, someone yelled her way. She didn’t understand what was said but she knew by the voices that Jason and Drew were there. The voices were a lot louder than she thought they should be. She felt herself leaning over and then she was suddenly in someone’s arms. She looked up to see the same happy brown eyes but instead she saw crystal blue and she could tell from the look that they weren’t happy at all. She smiled and stroked Drew’s cheek before everything went black.
“Hey! Where do you think you’re going with her?” Jason watched as the man turned and looked at him with a grin.
“Well I am taking my date home.”
“Oh no you’re not buddy!” This came from Drew who came up beside his best friend.
“Look gentlemen. I understand you want the lady’s attention but my date is coming home with me tonight so if you wouldn’t mind. I would like to get her home in her own bed.”
Drew looked at Jason and saw him nod. The man had just contradicted himself without even realizing it due to his nervousness. There was no way in hell he was leaving with Sam. Both men would make sure of it. “I have to ask, are you taking her home then?”
“Well of course I am. I just need to find out where she lives. You wouldn’t know would you? Or actually it might be best to just get a room here. Whatdya say hun? Wanna just stay here tonight and then we can go home tomorrow?” At her unknowledgeable grunt he smiled and made to walk past the men. Jason grabbed his elbow and stopped him. That’s when Sam said something. Drew knew the instant he looked at her that she was going down and instantly ran over to catch her right before she fell to the ground. He felt her caress his cheek before her body went limp completely.
Drew looked up at the man. “Yeah. I don’t think she’s going anywhere with you buddy.” He gave the man a murderous look. “And beside the point, if she needs a ride home we will give it to her, especially since we live with her.
The man’s eyes widened. “She lives with you two?” At their smiles and nods he puffed out his chest. “Well I never….” He went to walk away and was slung back by his collar. Jason looked down at the man with fury blazing in his eyes.