Carter guided Deidra down the walk to where their horses were hitched. As he started to help her into her saddle, he saw Andrew riding down the road. While the deputy sat atop the stallion’s back, with the horse moving at a slow walk, Aaron Wilson shuffled along behind him, his hands shackled.
It was quite a spectacle for a Friday morning in Graham and people along the walk stopped what they were doing to watch. Deidra removed her foot from the stirrup and watched the scene, her face tight. Carter could see that her anger was about to get the best of her. “Now Deidra, my sweet. You promised to go home and rest…”
She was already striding out into the road.
Seeing her, Andrew halted the horse and tipped his hat. “Morning, Miss LaRue.”
“Good morning, Deputy. Might I have a brief word with your charge?” She gestured to the handcuffed, red-faced Wilson.
Andrew chuckled as he dismounted. “Yes, ma’am.”
Carter watched as she marched over to the short man. Part of him felt he should go over there and get her, but the other part just couldn’t resist letting her have at the little scoundrel. The second part won out so he leaned against the post, and waited for the fireworks.
Her finger in the air, she lit into him. “You are the most petty, self-important little man in this whole entire world. I tell you I don’t want to work for you and you have me kidnapped? What in Sam Hill gives you the right to do such a thing?”
He wrinkled his nose at her. “You’re nothing. You’re nobody! I was giving you the best opportunity you were ever going to get, to work for me. But no. You were just too damn uppity.”
“Oh how kind of you, to take a nothing and nobody like me into your glorious world. You know, the one full of lies and bogus money? I know what you are, Aaron Wilson. You’re nothing but a fraud.”
Wilson’s face grew even redder, so much that he resembled a ripe tomato in a suit. “Watch your tone with me, gal! You’re still only a darkie and you best remember to respect your betters!”
“Oh!” The sound of outrage left her lips at the same time she raised her arm. She reared back and sent her fist crashing into his face, knocking him out cold. Since he was still secured to the saddle by the chain on the cuffs, when Wilson fell over, the rattling of the chain could be heard as he landed flat on his back in the middle of the dirt road.
Andrew whistled. “Golly.”
Carter watched as she brushed her hands off on her skirt. Turning on her heel, she left Wilson lying there in the dirt and strolled back over to him. She righted her hat, which had fallen down over one eye and gave him a nod. “I’m ready now, honey.”
His mouth hanging open, he shook his head in amazement. “Remind me never to get you riled up, will you?”
She offered him a smile as she stepped into the stirrup and swung up on Feather’s back. “I’ll be sure to remind you. Go ahead and unhitch the horses so we can go.”
He did as she asked, then mounted his own horse. As they slowly rode down Main Street, he saw Jonathan, medical bag in hand, rushing down the walk. Naomi was close behind him.
“See? He’ll be fine, the worthless polecat.” She urged Feather into a trot.
He followed suit, speeding Smoke along so he could keep up with her. Deidra LaRue was some woman, one he would be honored to take his name. With fire and grit like that, she was sure to bear him strong, spirited daughters and sturdy, fearless sons.
Back inside the cabin, he started a fire in the fireplace and cuddled up to his pistol of a lady on the settee. With her sitting next to him, he held fast to her waist as she covered them both with a big buffalo hide.
“I have a feeling I’m getting myself into an awful mess by taking you on as a wife.” He kissed her forehead.
She smiled and rested her head on his shoulders. “You’re probably right. But you’ll never be bored.” She snuggled closer to him. “I love you, Carter. Thank you for coming into my life.”
“I love you.” He caressed her soft cheek and lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. “You’re not going to change and become a docile wife, are you?”
“No. I may be a firebrand but I will surrender to you always.”
Hearing that touched his heart. “Truly, my sweet?”
She answered by pulling him down to her kiss.