Page 52 of The Cowboy's Justice

“Pleasure and pain, and punishment when needed. That’s what you can expect,” he purred pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly. “But if you ever have a problem with what we’re doin’ you have to tell me.”

“So…what do you call it?”

“A cowboy’s justice.”

EPILOGUE

When William Buckley returned to Dallas he offered up the names of accountants and bookkeepers who had helped him embezzle money from clients. But shortly after his arrest was made public, several women came forward and accused him of drugging and assaulting them. The charges were filed guaranteeing him a long stint behind bars.

* * *

Though Portia’s days were filled with chores around the barn, Devlin made sure she had time to learn how to ride. But as the end of the month drew near she didn’t know what would happen next.

Change was in the air.

Even the weather was becoming colder and the leaves had begun to turn. Late one afternoon Devlin suggested they take a ride up Smoky Hill to see if any snow had hit the mountains.

With Jezebel and Jethro running along beside them they made their way up the trail. Portia was on Marge, and Devlin was riding Belle with just a rope around her neck. As they made their way through the trees and broke into the clearing at the top, Portia caught her breath. The majestic peaks glowed white and gold in the setting sun.

“Wow, look at that,” she exclaimed. “It’s like an oil painting.”

“It sure is. In a month or so we’ll probably have our first dusting at the ranch, maybe even sooner.”

Looking across at his handsome face, she suddenly had to know where things stood between them.

“Devlin, what will happen now?”

“With what?”

“Me, you, the ranch.”

“I guess that depends. Are you plannin’ on returning to your home or goin’ back to Dallas?”

“Uh, well, you haven’t said anything about me staying on so…”

“Portia,” he began, lowering his voice, “for the record I don’t want you goin’ anywhere. But stayin’ with me is your choice. Do you want to stick around?”

“Absolutely,” she said urgently. “I love it here, and I’d miss Marge and Jezzie and Jethro so much, but mostly I want to be with you.”

Moving Belle closer to her, he reached out and took her hand.

“Darlin’, I wanna be with you too. Let’s get the rest of your things from your house and bring them over. You can store stuff in the cabin if you need to.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, darlin’, really. We’re a team now, and I want it to stay that way.”

* * *

After several more weeks Portia knew she’d never want to return to her modern, empty home, and ended up selling it to her superstar neighbor, Annie Baker. When Annie’s musicians came into town they would stay at the Moonshine Campground. Having them next door was far more convenient, and the basement became a second rehearsal space.

* * *

Late one winter night, with snow blanketing the ground and a full moon glowing down from a clear sky, Portia and Devlin made their way back to the house after doing their nightly checkon the horses. As they paused their step to watch Jezebel and Jethro bound and play in the white stuff, Devlin wrapped her in his arms and devoured her lips in a long, lingering kiss.

“What was that for?” she murmured breathlessly.

“Do I need a reason?”

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