Page 22 of Redeeming the Outlaw
Esthers voice became so low, he had to strain his ears to hear her. “My father sent a letter asking Reverend Dunn to find me a husband. The Reverend and his wife are looking through matches and sending them to Papa and Mama.”
Suddenly, Whit’s entire future was paralyzed by the mere suggestion of Esther marrying someone else and leaving town. It felt like a sharp blade piercing his gut.
“Do you want to get married to someone you don’t know?” She sat up and shook her head. Whit rested his hand on her shoulder. “I wouldn’t worry about those letters anymore.”
“You think Papa won’t make me marry one of those men? They’ll be good men. Men of faith, like him.”
Whit tilted her chin, so she was looking directly at him. “I don’t think they’ll marry you because in their eyes you’ll be ruined. They won’t believe nothing happened to you out here.”
“Nothing happened, other than a few kisses.”
“Telling everyone we were married. Sleeping next to me every night. What do you think they are going to think if word gets back to town with those stories?”
Her cheeks heated and turned a bright shade of red, showing she had not considered this possibility. “I-I didn’t even consider it,” she stammered out.
Whit kissed her once more. “I’m going to marry you, Esther Billings. Once we get back home, I’m going to talk to your father, and it will be done.” He slid to the bottom of the tent. “When I get back tonight, I need to talk to you about something important. I tried to tell you last night, but you fell asleep.”
“When will you be back?”
“I don’t know.” He swallowed hard. “Brodie is looking for something, but I can’t figure out it is.”
“Promise me you’ll be safe,” she pleaded, her fingersfidgeting with the cross pendant around her neck.
His hand found hers, stilling her worry. “I promise, Esther. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you and your family.”
“God watch over you, Whitney Moore,” she prayed softly, her faith in him shining in her eyes.
He opened his arms and held her close for a few more precious moments before the world outside demanded his attention. Once he returned from whatever errand Brodie sent him on, he’d tell her the truth about why he was in the Richards’ gang. He prayed she wouldn’t betray him.
Ma’s announcement caught Whit off guard. Brodie had already set off for the day, but Ma insisted Whit go to Flat River and purchase supplies.
“Tom’s already in town, so you can ride home together.” Her sharp eyes watched his every move.
“Wouldn’t Flat Junction be easier?” he asked.
Ma ignored the question and waved a piece of paper in front of him. “If you leave now, you’ll be back by dark. Snake can go with you.”
Whit’s hand instinctively went to his beard, the prickly sensation on his chin reminding him he needed a shave. He only let his facial hair grow out as a disguise, but now it felt like a burden. As he scanned the list in front of him, Whit couldn’t shake the feeling something was off.
“Is this everything?” he asked, knowing they could easily find these items in the nearby town just two miles away. It wouldeasily take them three hours or more to ride to Flat River.
Ma nodded and pointed at Snake.
Whit looked at Brodie’s cousin, Snake, and a chill went down his spine. Snake slithered out from the shadows, his slender frame seeming to glide as he moved. Greasy strands of dark hair hung limply around his sallow face, partially obscuring his narrow eyes which stared out with a sinister glint. As he drew closer, the flickering firelight illuminated his sharp, angular features resembling a viper ready to strike. He curled his lip and hissed in Whit’s direction before throwing his head back, laughing.
He couldn’t show any fear, even though every single fiber of his being knew this wasn’t a normal supply run. This was two men headed out on the prairie and only one was coming back. He wondered if they had figured out who he was. It had been more than a week since he had spoken to Briggs, since he had nothing to report. There was no chance of their communications being intercepted.
Whit made a mental list of what he needed to do. Saddle Topper, load his rifle, and put his gun belt in a saddlebag. Say goodbye to Esther.
Say goodbye.
He didn’t want to think about saying goodbye when he had just found her.
“Saddle up then,” he commanded, tucking the paper in his shirt pocket. “We’ll leave in ten.”
They were ready to go in seven minutes as Whit led his horse through the camp. Snake was already on his horse, an evil look in his eye as Whit walked toward Esther.
Silently, he reached out and grasped her waist, pulling her close. He pressed his lips to hers, pouring all his emotions intothe kiss. As they parted, he noticed a light dusting of flour on her hands and coat, but he didn’t care. With tears in his eyes, he held onto her, wanting to savor this last moment before he had to let her go.
