Page 48 of Love on Target

Cade winked at her and took his seat beside Ike, Harry, and a few of the other miners who’d been invited to the wedding.

Pastor Ryan performed the ceremony. It seemed to happen all too quickly, and before Rena quite realized it, the time had come for Josh to kiss her.

Gabi wedged her way between Josh and Rena and stared up at her father. “You have to kiss her right on the lips, Papa,” she instructed. “Just like the princess in my storybook.”

“I’ll see what I can do, Gabi Jo.” Josh gently nudged his daughter aside, then gave Rena a kiss that made her knees quiver and her heart flutter in her chest. When she felt breathless and nearly dizzy from the exchange, Josh pulled back and offered her a teasing wink.

Together, they turned and faced the church full of their friends. As they walked down the aisle, Rena thought of the pistol Laura had sent to her. At the time, it had made her hopping mad.

Now, not even a full two months later, as her husband held her hand in his and their daughter skipped along behind them, Rena knew true love had found its mark. Her heart had been its target all along.

At the reception held in the yard at R.C. and Anne’s home, Rena stepped beside Laura and settled a hand around her cousin’s waist. “Thank you again for being here, Laura. It means the world to me.”

“I wouldn’t have missed your wedding for anything.” Laura stood on her tiptoes and pretended to search the crowd. “Do you think there’s a girl here for Theo?”

Rena laughed. “Are you going to give up your current profession and turn into a matchmaker?”

“No, but it’s fun to tease.” Laura kissed her cheek. “I’m so pleased for you and Josh. He’s a wonderful man, and so handsome too. You are getting a bonus with his little girl. Gabi is a pure delight.”

“She is a sweetheart, and I’m so very blessed to have both Gabi and Josh to love.” Rena felt tears well in her eyes but did her best to blink them away. “I’m grateful you didn’t give up on me, Laura, and for every prayer you uttered on my behalf.”

“Of course, Rena. I only wanted you to be happy and to realize your scars wouldn’t keep true love from finding you.” Laura hugged her close, then pulled back with a grin. “Did you get a chance to shoot the pistol I sent to you?”

“I did. It felt like Annie was right there shooting it with me. Don’t you want to keep the pistol?”

“No. Like I told Tessa, I’ll find my fella the old-fashioned way. However, I’m pleased to transport it back to Texas for you. Are you certain your friend Mrs. Dinwiddie knows to make arrangements to get it from me?”

“Yes. I sent a letter this morning to her with the details. She was one of the few people who were kind to me after the accident and didn’t pass judgment on my choice of attire. I think she’ll know exactly who to give the pistol to next.”

“That’s wonderful. It’s important you pass on the good fortune the pistol could bring to another.” Laura leaned closer. “I’m glad you let me read the note you added to the letter in the case.”

“I think Tessa began a tradition. It will be wonderful if all the brides who have possession of the gun and find love will add to it.” Rena thought of the words she’d penned that morning before she packed the gun case into a box, ready for Laura to take back to Texas.

Rena Burke wed Josh Gatlin on June 2, 1894, in Holiday, Oregon – When my trousers and target practice didn’t send him running, I knew true love had hit the perfect target for me.

“What are you girls doing?” Josh asked as he walked up behind them. Laura sucked in a startled gasp, while Rena slipped her arm around Josh’s waist and smiled up at him. The love in his eyes reflected what Rena was sure shone in hers.

“Laura and I were discussing Annie Oakley’s pink-handled pistol and the note I added to the letter in the gun case.”

Josh grinned. “Did you mention drawing hearts on targets to keep love at bay? Or maybe you stated that I ran as fast as I could to avoid romance, but you stampeded ol’ Scout right over my heart and I couldn’t get away.”

“Scout couldn’t run anywhere if his life depended on it, and you know it. However, I do thank you for the beautiful new bridle you made for me as a wedding gift and the promise of a new saddle to use on Mari. Scout won’t complain at all to be able to retire from being ridden all the time,” Rena said, leaning against her husband.

Husband.

She was really and truly married to a handsome, gentle, kind man who’d already brought more joy into her life than she’d imagined possible. Rena looked up at him and sighed contentedly, anticipating the blissful years that would fill their future together. “Is it time for us to go?”

“Only if you want to catch the train this afternoon.”

Laura gave Rena a nudge forward. “Go say your goodbyes. I’ll let Maggie and Ian know you’re ready to leave since they’ll be traveling with you.”

Rena and Josh found Gabi trying to talk the Milton brothers into holding a mock wedding ceremony. Mike refused to be the groom, and Gabi insisted Andy was too young for such a big responsibility.

“We’re leaving, Gabi Jo. You behave yourself while we’re gone.” Josh lifted his daughter and kissed her cheek, then gave her a tight hug before passing her over to Rena.

Gabi wrapped her arms tightly around Rena’s neck and whispered in her ear. “I’m so glad you’re my mama now. I love you.”

Rena again blinked back tears. Gabi had called her mama a few times, and each instance had made her heart feel as though it would overflow with love. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she greatly looked forward to being Gabi’s mother. “I love you, sweetheart. Be good for Uncle Theo and Aunt Laura while we’re gone.”

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