Chris Larabee gazed across the town from his usual post in front of the saloon. It had been pretty warm in Four Corners the last few days. Tempers were high, but action was low.
"Chris!!" The gunslinger looked up to see Billy Travis running across the street toward him. He smiled, almost involuntarily. Something about that boy calling his name made things stir inside Chris that he hadn't felt in a long time. Walking some steps behind Billy was the other person who aroused things inside the gunfighter. Mary Travis smiled gently at Chris as he lifted Billy into his arms.
"How can I help you, Pard'?" Chris flashed a loving smile at Billy, all the while keeping one eye on the widow who was approaching him.
"Can we go fishin'?"
"Billy! I told you not to bother Chris while he was on watch."
"It is no trouble, Mary." Chris sat Billy down and knelt in front of the blond boy. "Why are you so all fired up about goin' fishin'?"
"I have to take Billy back to his grandparents' home in a few days. School begins in a week."
"Ah. I see. Well go git your stuff, Billy. I will meet you at the Clarion in ten minutes."
"Thanks, Chris." Billy ran off toward the newspaper office. Mary remained on the porch of the saloon looking at the handsome gunfighter.
"Thank you," Mary softly purred.
"I told ya, Mary, it ain't no trouble." Chris smiled gently and tipped his hat. Then the black-clad man headed off to the livery to saddle up his horse, Storm. Mary smiled to herself and headed back to the Clarion.
+ + + + + + +
"Buck, we got trouble." JD stood at the edge of a table in the saloon staring at the man who had become his mentor.
"What's up, Kid?" Buck had learned to disregard most of JD's "troubles." More often then not they were of little real consequence.
"The Marshall Gang is robbing stagecoaches between here and Bitter Creek."
"Did ya tell Chris?"
"He is out fishin' with Billy Travis." Buck momentarily smiled as he reflected on the changes that Billy had made in Chris' rock-hard exterior. The scoundrel, however, quickly returned his thoughts to the matter at hand.
"Well, I suppose someone will have to start accompanying the stage to and from Bitter Creek then. Recruit the men, JD."
"Recruit them for what?" Chris strolled through the doors of the saloon with a confident air.
"Well here is the fearless fisherman now. Marshall Gang is robbing stages between here and Bitter Creek. JD is gonna set up a schedule for riders to accompany the stage to and from Bitter Creek."
Chris nodded and turned to JD. "When does the first stage leave?"
"Three days."
"I will escort that one." JD nodded to his idol and strolled out of the saloon to begin working on the schedule.
"What has you all fired up to take the first escort, Chris? Want all the glory for yourself?"
"Mary and Billy will be on that stage."
Buck smiled slyly at Chris. The gunfighter stared at him for a long moment and then slowly returned the smile. No words were exchanged, but each knew what the other was thinking. Chris could not hide anything from his old friend.
+ + + + + + +
Three days later six of the Seven all stood about the stage. Chris emerged from the Clarion carrying Mary and Billy's bags. As he handed the bags up to the driver, Mary and Billy came from the general store.
"We're gonna miss ya, Billy." Buck smiled at the blond boy and lifted him in the air.
"Yeah Billy, you make this place interesting." Josiah ruffled the boy's hair.
Ezra pulled Vin aside and whispered to him, "And makes Mr. Larabee much more amiable." The tracker glared at the gambler and then joined the rest of the men beside the stage.
Buck put Billy in the stagecoach and then turned to see Chris and Mary share a secret look.
"You be careful, Miz Travis." Nathan smiled at the pretty widow.
Chris walked up behind Mary. "She will be fine. She has me." Buck gave Chris a questioning look. It was a very forward comment for the usually silent gunfighter.
Mary turned and looked at Chris. "Honestly, Chris, I do not see the need for you to escort us to Bitter Creek."
Chris shook his head gently and helped the fair widow into the stage. He shut the door and mounted Storm to head out. As they departed, Chris pondered the feel of Mary's hand in his own. "What are you thinkin', Larabee? You're the bad element. Leave her be." Chris kicked Storm hard and rode ahead of the stage to scout things out.
+ + + + + + +
High on a ridge just outside of Four Corners, the Marshall Gang watched the stagecoach heading toward Bitter Creek.
"They got a rider with 'em, Boss."
"Must have heard about us. Let's see how far he rides."
+ + + + + + +
Mary sat in the stagecoach listening to the steady rocking and the hoof beats. As she stared out the window she brushed the blond locks from Billy's forehead. Just then, Chris rode up beside them.
"How are you two doin'?"
"Billy's asleep."
"All seems to be clear. You should sleep, too." Mary nodded and closed her eyes. As she drifted off, she could hear the constant breathing of Storm while Chris rode alongside the stage.
+ + + + + + +
Mary was awakened a few hours later by Chris' rugged, but gentle voice whispering her name.
"Mary, we are in Bitter Creek." As Mary opened her blue eyes, Chris offered his hand to her and eased her down from the stage. "Why don't you go clean up?"
A few minutes later Mary emerged, her face washed and her hair pinned back onto the top of her head. She walked over to a bench where Chris was sitting with Billy in his lap.
"I'm gonna miss ya, Chris."
"I will miss you, too Billy." Billy hugged Chris fiercely as Mary and the gunfighter shared a smile. Just then the stage driver motioned for Mary to get back on board. All three of them walked over to the stage. The gunslinger lifted the boy up to his seat and then motioned for Mary to come with him. A few feet away from the stage, and just out of Billy's line of vision, Chris took Mary's hand gently and said, "Be careful. Wire me when you get there and when you are ready to come back."
"I will be fine, Chris." Blue eyes met green and the gunfighter knew that the end of the conversation had come.
He helped the widow into the stage and stood and watched it go. As she rode away, Chris felt as if he were sending part of himself off. He smiled and mounted his horse. "That woman has gone and made you soft Chris Larabee."
+ + + + + + +
"The rider left them in Bitter Creek, Boss."
"Let's wait and see if they do that with every stage. That rider seemed awfully cozy with the blond woman. Perhaps that was just a coincidence. In a week we will try again."
+ + + + + + +
Chris sat in the saloon staring off in the distance. Occasionally he would scan the room for any suspicious behavior, but for the most part he was caught up in his own thoughts.
Buck walked through the swinging doors and headed over to the table where Chris was sitting. "What's goin' on, Pard'? You are just sittin' here staring at nuthin'. "
Chris looked up at his friend. He went to offer Buck a drink, but he realized that he had sat in the saloon for more than an hour without a drop of whiskey. "Just thinkin', Buck."
Buck motioned for the bartender to bring a bottle. " 'Bout anybody in particular?"
Chris glared at Buck with steely green eyes. "It's none of your business."
"Oh, but it is, you old war dog. I want to know what is on your mind."
"You know, Buck. You have known for a long time."
"Yeah, but I want to hear you say it. You need to admit it to yourself."
Chris glared at Buck, and then Buck saw the clouds in Chris' eyes part. The gunfighter took a deep breath and sighed. "Mary. Ever since she almost married Gerard, I have not been able to keep her out of my mind. I almost lost her."
"And that scares the hell out of you."
Chris looked at the ceiling of the saloon for a moment and then looked back at his best friend. "Yes."
"Then why don't you tell her?"
"I am no good for her. I killed Sarah and Adam. I cannot take that chance with Mary and Billy. Buck, I love them too much."
Buck stared at his friend. He knew that Chris cared about Billy and Mary, but he had no idea how much. "You did not kill Sarah and Adam. You are not putting Mary and Billy in danger. You need to tell her how you feel, though. She is not going to wait 'til the end of time. You got lucky once. You will not be able to dodge this forever, Chris."
Chris nodded. He got up and exited the saloon.
"Come on, Chris. Let her in," Buck quietly whispered as he watched his best friend leave.
+ + + + + + +
Mary stared out the window of Judge Travis' home. Just then Evie Travis walked up behind her daughter-in-law. "What are you thinking about, Mary?"
Mary sighed at looked at Evie. "Things."
"Or, more precisely, people?"
Mary smiled. Evie could always read her mind. "Please tell me, sweetheart."
"About a month ago, a man from my past, Gerard, Steven's friend from school, asked me to marry him. It was while Billy and I were on the wagon train. I really considered it. I even decided to say yes. Then...."
"Then you looked at Mr. Larabee and you knew that what you were doing was wrong for you."
Mary sighed. "Then I talked to Chris and I realized I did not love Gerard."
"Do you love Chris?"
Mary sighed again and nodded. "I do. I cannot wait forever for him, though. I need a commitment. Billy needs a father. I cannot force Chris' hand, though. He carries too much baggage."
"Give him time, Mary. My guess is that this thing with Gerard has probably scared him. I think he will come around. I have seen how he looks at you, Mary. He loves you, too."
Mary smiled and walked upstairs.
+ + + + + + +
Chris was lying on the bed in his room trying to sleep. His mind kept running over the conversation he had just had with Buck. As he drifted off to sleep, images of Mary flooded his mind. Finally, he eased into a dream.
"Chris, I am going to marry Gerard."
"Do you love him?"
"No, but Billy needs a father."
"I can be a father to Billy."
"I need more than that."
"I can give you more than that."
"No you can't, Chris. You are not ready for that."
"I love you, Mary."
"It is too late."
"Mary, please."
"I love you, too, Chris. I will never forget you."
Chris woke up in a profuse sweat. "No, Mary. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Chris!?!?!?" JD was standing outside his door. He had heard his idol yell as he had mounted the steps.
Chris stood up from his bed and went to the door. As he opened it, the gunfighter quickly composed himself. "Yes, JD?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. Just a nightmare."
"Okay. Well, you got a telegram."
"I did?"
"It's from Mrs. Travis."
"Thank you." JD nodded, handed Chris the telegram and left.
Chris stepped in front of the window and read the message.
I am leaving the Judge's today. STOP Do not worry. STOP I will be fine. STOP See you soon. STOP Mary STOP
Chris smiled and got dressed.
+ + + + + + +
"Those men keep accompanying the stage between Bitter Creek and Four Corners, Boss."
"Well, then intercept the stage before Bitter Creek. There will be one coming tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
+ + + + + + +
Mary stood in front of the stage with tears in her eyes. "I am going to miss you so much, Billy."
"I'm gonna miss you, too, Momma."
Judge Travis hugged Mary and smiled. "He will be fine."
"I know. You take good care of your grandparents, Billy."
"Tell Chris I said hi, Momma."
"Certainly, honey."
Judge Travis helped Mary up into the coach. Evie walked up alongside. "Give him a little time, Mary. Chris will come around." Mary squeezed Evie's hand and then the stagecoach was off.
+ + + + + + +
"Buck, can I talk to you?" Chris stood at the edge of the table where the rest of the Seven were sitting.
"Sure, Pard'." Buck got up and walked outside with Chris, leaving the other five speechless and confused. "What's up?"
"Mary is coming back tomorrow. I am going to ride to Bitter Creek to meet her."
"And?"
"And what, Buck?"
"There is something else going on, or you would not have called me out here."
"I am going to tell her how I feel. I bought her this." Chris held up a very delicate silver chain with a tiny silver heart pendant.
"Congratulations. It is beautiful, Chris. Good luck."
"Thank you, Buck." Chris turned and went back to his room to pack a few things. He planned to ride out that afternoon so he was sure to be in Bitter Creek when the stage arrived.
+ + + + + + +
"Intercept the stage about three miles before Bitter Creek. Let the horses free. Make it look like the horses were spooked and upset the coach."
"Yes, Boss."
+ + + + + + +
Chris checked into the hotel at Bitter Creek. "What time is the stage expected?"
"Ten tomorrow morning, Mr. Larabee."
"Thank you." Chris carried his saddle bags up the steps and laid down on the bed. He pulled the necklace from his pocket and gently rubbed the face of the heart. As he drifted off to sleep he whispered, "I love you, Mary Travis."
+ + + + + + +
Mary boarded the stage early the next morning. "We will be stopping in Bitter Creek in a few hours to pick up your escort ma'am."
"My escort?"
"A rider has met the stage every time it has gotten to Bitter Creek."
Mary smiled and shook her head. Secretly she hoped that Chris would meet the stage. She was the only on the coach and she laid down to take a nap.
+ + + + + + +
"Here comes the stage, Boss."
"Do your thing boys."
+ + + + + + +
Mary was sprawled across the seat of the coach sleeping soundly. Suddenly, she was aroused from her dozing by the sound of gun shots and the sudden stop of the stage. She started to sit up to look out when she decided that it would be safer if she stayed down. She heard men yelling.
"Get down!! Hand over the money!!!" Mary heard some more noises. Then there were two more shots.
"Damn. It isn't going to look like an accident now."
"Clyde, just kick the bodies over the bank. By the time they are found we will be long gone."
Mary heard some more noises and then she felt the coach begin to shake. "Oh my, God. They are going to push the stage over the bank," Mary thought. Without thinking she jumped clear of the coach as it rolled over. Mary cowered in the bushes as she watched the men ride off. "Now what am I going to do? I do not know where I am. I am going to die and Chris will never know how I feel. I love you, Billy. I love you, Chris."
+ + + + + + +
Chris sat on the same bench where he sat a week before with Billy. This time though, he was a different man. He had gotten up very early, taken a bath and shaved. He was dressed in a light gray shirt and black pants. His hair was slicked back under his hat, which he had brushed until it was spotless. He had polished his boots. His duster had been left thrown over Storm despite the cool air that had come in the past few days. Now he sat there impatiently waiting for Mary. Alongside him on the bench were some flowers. Every couple of minutes he checked his pocket to make sure the necklace was still there. "Where is the stage?"
"Mr. Larabee?"
"Yes." Chris looked up and saw a very nervous telegraph operator in front of him.
"Mr. Larabee, I just received a telegram from the station before here. The horses from the stagecoach just arrived back there. They appear to have broken free from the stage. They want us to send out a search party for the stagecoach."
"How many people were on the stage?"
The telegraph operator looked apprehensively at Chris. "Just Mrs. Travis."
"I will ride out and find the stage."
"Do you want back up?"
"No. If we do not return in three days, send a telegram to Four Corners and tell them what happened."
"Yes, sir."
Chris mounted Storm and headed off to find Mary. "Please God let her be okay."
+ + + + + + +
As Mary cowered in the bushes it began to rain. "Great, I am going to catch pneumonia." She tried to get up to see if she could find shelter in the wreckage of the stage, but as she stood her ankle gave way. "Ow!" Mary sank back down into the bushes. She rubbed her ankle and balled up to protect herself from the rain. "Please Chris, find me."
+ + + + + + +
Chris rode hard out of town. "It is going to rain soon," Chris thought. "I hope I can find her fast." Just then it started to pour. Chris spurred Storm on harder. "Please let her be okay." Suddenly Chris saw wood pieces strewn across the ground. He stopped his horse and looked down over the bank. There he saw the remains of the stagecoach lying broken on the rocks. "No," Chris whispered. He tied Storm to a nearby tree and carefully made his way down the bank. "Please, please, please God let her be okay. What if she isn't? She will never know how I feel." The gunslinger approached the coach and looked inside. He did not see anybody. "She must have been thrown from the stage," Chris thought. He started scanning the area for her body. The longer he looked, the more upset he became. The rain that was running off his hat began to mix with tears. Suddenly, he saw the bush off to the left move and a piece of yellow cloth appear. "Mary? Mary!"
Mary turned her head. She had been crying and had not heard Chris come down the bank. "Chris?" She crawled away from the bush as best as she could. "Could it be? Oh thank you, God. Chris!"
Chris ran over to the bush. "Mary, are you okay?" The gunfighter slid onto the ground beside her and put his arms around her.
"I am okay. I am so glad you found me."
"I am glad I found you, too. We need to get some shelter. There is a cave just over that rise. See if you can find some dry clothes in your things and we will go over there."
"Chris, I can't walk. I hurt my ankle."
"That is okay. Stay here." Chris stood up and walked over to the stage. He pulled out Mary's bag. Fortunately, it had not been damaged. He tied the bag to Storm and went back down to Mary. Without hesitating, the strong gunfighter lifted her into his arms. "Tell me if I hurt you."
"You could never hurt me, Chris."
+ + + + + + +
Half an hour later, they were both in the cave. Chris had a fire blazing. "There is a spring in this cave. I will carry you back there and you can wash up and change, Mary."
"Thank you, Chris." Mary selected a dress from her bag and took out a few toiletries. Chris easily lifted her into his arms. "How did you know to come and look for me?"
"The horses returned without the stage."
Mary looked Chris over. His hair was hanging over his eyes. She gently brushed it from his face and smiled, "You must of looked really nice before you rode out in this downpour after me."
Chris smiled back shyly. "You were worth it. Here you go." Chris sat her down on a rock at the edge of the spring. "Call me when you are done." He returned to the fire. Slowly he unbuttoned his shirt and took it off to let it dry. As he laid his shirt across a rock he heard something hit the ground. The gunfighter bent down and picked up the silver necklace. "Thank you, God for giving me a chance to tell her how I feel."
+ + + + + + +
Mary pulled her hair down, rinsed it in the water and carefully brushed it out. She washed her face and arms. She carefully removed the clothes she had on and folded them alongside her. She then pulled on the dress she had selected. It was a lovely blue dress that brought out her eyes. "Darn. Now I remember why I have not worn this dress since Steven died. It buttons in the back." Mary carefully pinned her hair up. "Oh well. It is what I have. Chris will just have to help me." She called out his name and sat patiently waiting for him with her back toward the fire.
Chris approached from the fire. It had not occurred to him to put his shirt back on. "Are you ready, Mary?"
"Just about. Can you button my dress?"
"Sur..sur..sure." At first Chris' hand was shaking so bad he could not even get near the buttons. He took a deep breath. "You have fastened buttons before, Chris, just relax," he thought to himself. He carefully buttoned each one. "There you go."
"Thank you." Mary turned on the rock and looked at Chris. She smiled appreciatively as she glanced at his well carved chest. She had never realized how muscular he really was. Suddenly she became very self-conscious. "What are you doing Mary? This is totally inappropriate," Mary chided herself silently.
Chris was watching her carefully. "Are you ready?"
Mary picked up a stone and threw it across the spring. "I still can't do that."
"Here." Chris picked up a stone in his hand. "Throw it like this." Chris chucked the stone across the spring. It skipped twice. Then, he handed her a stone. "Now you try."
Mary took the stone in her hand and tried to mimic Chris' actions. Once again the stone glided across the water, but it did not skip.
"It is more in the wrist." Chris picked up another stone and sat down behind her on the rock. He put the rock in her hand and then moved her hand in the motion that would make the stone skip. Mary could feel his chest pressed against her body. She gently threw the stone. It skipped twice across the water. "See."
Mary turned and looked deep into Chris' eyes. "Thank you."
"No trouble." Chris gazed into her eyes. He leaned forward a little. Mary tilted her head slightly and Chris slowly began to kiss her. He started gently and then pressed harder as Mary met his passion with her own. Mary ran her hands across Chris' bare chest. When they pulled apart, they both were breathless. "I have been waiting a long time to do that."
"I have been waiting a long time for you to do that, Cowboy." Chris smiled and lifted Mary up. She gently ran her hands along his sculpted chest as he walked back to the fire. "You are so handsome."
"You are beautiful." Chris sat Mary down by the edge of the fire. He pulled his shirt back on, but left it unbuttoned. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace. "There is a reason why I was dressed up when I came to find you. I had planned to meet you in Bitter Creek. There is something I want to tell you, Mary. Something I should have told you a long time ago." Chris knelt down in front of Mary and took her hands in his own. "I love you, Mary Travis."
"Oh, Chris." Tears gushed to Mary's eyes. "I love you, too."
Chris opened his hand. "This is for you." Chris gently fastened the necklace around her neck.
"It is beautiful." Mary leaned forward and kissed Chris deeply and passionately. She ran her hands through his hair. Slowly, the kisses became more intense and their hands became more free-roaming. Chris carefully began to unfasten the buttons that he had just done up.
+ + + + + + +
A few hours later, Chris woke up. He was spooned behind Mary, one arm cradling her head, the other thrown over her body, holding her hand. The gunfighter smiled and kissed her ever so gently. Mary smiled and reached up with her free hand to caress Chris' face. "Hello, my beauty."
"Hello." Mary shivered slightly and burrowed closer to Chris' body.
Chris reached out and pulled his duster over the top of both of them. "I love you."
"I hope you never stop saying that."
"Never."
"You remember when we were on the wagon train?"
"Yes."
"A lot of things that were said on that trip had hidden meanings. I was trying to tell you how much I wanted to be with you without saying it."
"So was I."
"Why didn't you just say something? Why didn't you try to stop me from marrying Gerard? Why didn't you tell me you loved me then?"
"Whoa. I didn't say anything or try to stop you because I did not think I was good enough for you. I wanted Billy to have a father and I wanted you to be happy."
"I would have been much happier if you had told me what you really were thinking."
"I'm a dumb cowboy. What can I say?"
"Say that you love me."
"I do." Chris kissed her and the passion began again.
+ + + + + + +
"So what did you say that was supposed to tell me somethin', Mary?"
Mary rolled over to face Chris after their last period of love-making. "A lot of things."
"Tell me."
"Well, I said to you that I thought that Billy deserved a father growing up. I never said that it had to be Gerard."
"Neither did I. I said that I thought so, too. What that secretly meant was I wanted to be that man."
"You should have said that."
"Yeah and then we would be courting now and being all proper-like instead of having fun." Chris kissed her and ran his hand up her thigh.
"You really are the bad element, Chris Larabee!"
"And you love it. What else did you say?"
"I told you there were a lot of things in my life I never pictured. I was not thinking of plowing fields with Gerard, though. I was talking about falling in love with a gunfighter and making a life with a man who is so dangerous."
"I bet you didn't picture making love to that stealthy gunfighter in a cave either."
"Who said the gunfighter I was thinking of was you?"
Chris smiled and kissed her. "Well I said a few things to try to sway you, too."
"Like asking me if I loved Gerard and being so darn cute while you were doing it?"
"Actually that was for my own piece of mind and the being cute part, well I guess that is just my nature. Actually I was thinking about when I told you that I did not think we would have made it to the new land without you and that you are a special lady."
"You know, I really wanted to kiss you when you said that."
"Why don't you do it now?" Mary rolled on top of Chris and began to kiss him. Once again their love making began."
+ + + + + + +
Mary and Chris laid spooned against each other whispering softly in the after glow of their passion.
"I told Gerard that I couldn't think of a better man to be a father to Billy, but I was lying. When I see the two of you together it warms my heart."
"I love him as if he were my own son."
"I know, Chris. I have seen the way you look at him. And, Chris...?"
"Yes, my love?"
"I want to thank you for saving Billy's life and apologize for what I did to you on the wagon train."
"I will always save and protect Billy and you. What are you talking about on the wagon train? You did not do anything to me, Mary."
"I know that all of my talking about Gerard must have driven you crazy. It almost killed me when you told Gerard to stay behind when you went after Dickey O'Shay because he had two kids and maybe a new wife. I wanted to tell you right then that I had decided not to marry Gerard."
"It is okay. Can I ask you something, Mary?"
"Of course, Darling."
"What made you change your mind?"
"You."
"Me?"
"After we had that conversation by the water that day, I realized that no matter how much Billy needed a father, I could not enter into a loveless marriage. I also could never walk away from you, Chris. I told Gerard I was upset about selling the newspaper, and I was, but I was also upset because marrying him meant leaving you."
"I am sorry, Mary."
"Now what are you sorry for?"
"For making you wait so long and making you suffer through that."
"You were worth the wait, Chris Larabee."
+ + + + + + +
When Mary awoke again, Chris was standing at the mouth of the cave. "Anything interesting out there, Cowboy?"
Chris turned to look at Mary who was lying near the fire wrapped in his duster. "The storm broke."
"How soon are the rest going to come looking for us?"
"Another day. We should make it back to Bitter Creek before they head out if we leave in a couple hours."
"That gives us plenty of time then."
"For what, may I ask?"
"You know. Come over here."
+ + + + + + +
Chris helped Mary up onto Storm. He then mounted behind her. As he reached for the reigns, he gently kissed the side of her face. "I love you."
"I love you, too." They rode in silence for awhile and then Mary leaned back against Chris. "What are we going to do now?"
"Go back to Bitter Creek and wire Four Corners."
"I mean about us."
"I suppose I will have to make an honest woman out of you. If that is what you want."
"Is that what you want, Chris?"
Chris pulled Storm off to the side of the trail. He dismounted and lifted Mary down. The gunfighter sat her on a rock and kneeled in front of you. "When I bought that necklace, I thought I was just getting a gift to show you how much I loved you, but I was thinking.... Mary Travis, will you marry me?"
"Yes. Oh yes I will marry you, Chris Larabee."
+ + + + + + +
Mary and Chris rode into Bitter Creek an hour later, both smiling. They had resolved to wire Four Corners and then spend the night there. They had worked out a plan to make love without anyone catching them. This would probably be the last time until they were married. As they turned the corner, they were surprised to see the rest of the seven standing in front of the sheriff's office.
"So much for that plan," Chris whispered as he pulled Storm up alongside the other horses. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Getting ready to go look for you two, Pard'."
"Are you okay, Mz. Travis?" Nathan cast a concerned glance at Mary.
Mary looked down at Chris and smiled. "I am fine."
"She hurt her ankle." Chris lifted Mary down and sat her on the bench in front of the sheriff's office.
"I really am okay."
"You best let Nathan have a look at it, Mrs. Travis," Vin softly coaxed Mary.
"Fine." Nathan looked Mary's ankle and her other minor injuries. In the meantime, Chris pulled the rest of the men aside.
"Why are you guys here? I told the telegraph operator not to wire you for another day."
"We apprehended the notorious Marshall Gang between here and Four Corners when they tried to rob a family of their worldly possessions," Ezra answered Chris in his slow southern drawl.
"The sheriff told us about the stage when we brought them in. Did they hurt Mary?"
"What are you talking about, Buck?" Chris flashed a fiery gaze at his friend. "Did who hurt Mary?"
"The Marshall Gang, Chris. Didn't Mary tell you that they robbed the stage and pushed it over the cliff?"
"No, Vin." Chris turned and walked over to where Mary was sitting. "Why didn't you tell me that the stage was robbed?"
"You did not ask. I guess I assumed you knew. I am sorry, Chris."
"It's okay. They arrested the men who did it. How are you feeling."
"Fine."
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes."
"Well then let's go. Come on men. Let's eat." Chris swept Mary up and carried her to the hotel dining room. As they walked, the couple tried not to seem overly obvious. No need to let everyone know what had happened in the woods.
+ + + + + + +
After dinner Buck pulled Chris aside outside the hotel. "What, Buck? I need to get Mary back to Four Corners."
"How come it took you two days to make it back here? Those slugs told us that they wrecked the stage about three miles from here."
"It had started to rain when I found her. I had to get her to shelter before she got sick. We stayed in a cave until it stopped raining."
"It stopped raining yesterday morning. Come on, Chris. I saw Mary was wearing the necklace."
"I think that is between Mary and I."
"You are a sly one, Chris Larabee. You went out to tell her that you loved her and you came back with a little more than that."
"Buck, I recommend you keep your mouth shut about this. If you can't, I will shut it for ya."
"Calm down, Chris. What you and Mary do is your own business. Just be careful. You know how fast rumors spread."
"We are getting married."
"That is great. Congratulations."
"Shh.... No one else knows. We want to give it some time. Court for awhile so that it does not appear to be a shotgun sort of thing."
"Whatever you say, Chris."
+ + + + + + +
Mary smiled brightly as she pinned tight curls to the top of her head. She smoothed down the front of her dress and applied a small amount of rouge on her cheeks. There was suddenly a soft knock at her door. "Come in."
"Oh Mary, you look so beautiful."
"For a pregnant bride, Evie?"
"It doesn't show yet." Evie placed small flowers in Mary's hair. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I will ever be."
"Didn't I tell you Chris would come around. Challenges always produce results, Mary."
Mary rubbed her stomach, the precious gift that Chris had unknowingly given her in the cave, as she stepped out onto the street to go to her wedding. "Yes they do, Evie. Yes they do."
The End
