Chapter Twenty

"Miss, Hallie, what are you doing all the way out here?" Bart asked as he stepped up and grabbed the reins of her brown mare.

"I came to see your smiling face of course," Hallie replied with a happy smile. She had always loved this old man. His wrinkled black skin was worn with age and his stiff, short hair a covering of snow white atop his head. He had the most inviting smile and the kindest big brown eyes of anyone she had ever met.

"Well now, I'll just pretend that I believe that," Bart stated as he reached out and took her hand to help her down. "But is there something else I can do for you other than flash a little smile?"

Hallie dismounted and adjusted the bonnet on her head, "Actually I was hoping to speak with Connor. Is he around close?" she asked, hoping that Connor wouldn't be out in the fields.

"Sure, darlin'," Bart replied. "He's in the third barn over there."

"Thank you, Bart."

"No problem, miss Hallie. I'll just hitch your horse up over there in the shade for you."

Hallie nodded her thanks and then headed for the barn that Connor was in. She held her shoulders back and her head high. Most folks in town whispered behind her back because of her relationship with Jamison but Hallie was a proud woman and nothing made her lower her head with shame. She entered the barn and saw Connor at the other end. He had his shirt pulled off and his back was slicked with sweat as he raked clean hay into a stall.

"Hello, cousin," Hallie called. He turned quickly and flashed her a crooked smile as he leaned the rake against the wall and pulled his bandana from his pants pocket.

He wiped his face clean and walked toward her, "Hello, Hallie," he greeted. "What brings you out here today?"

"Actually, I need to talk with you about something,"

Connor frowned and leaned his shoulder against a wooden beam next to him, "I don't like the sound of that. Anytime you ever say you need to talk to me about something it's always bad. It was always bad as children and I'm sure that means it's bad nowadays."

Hallie shrugged and pulled off her riding gloves, shoving them deep into the pocket of her skirt, "That would depend on what you consider to be bad, I assume. It is not a three month drought or a raging twister."

Connor shook his head and eyed her skeptically, "Then what is it?" Hallie bit her lip and then crossed her arms over her chest and looked him in the eye, "I may or may not have told a man that you were my new beau in order to pay him back."

Connor shook his head, "I know some people that'll court their cousins but I just ain't one of those," he teased with a grin, "Who exactly did you tell this to? Some old drunk in town that wouldn't leave you alone?" Hallie offered him a placating smile and smoothed her hands over her skirt, "Actually it was Jamison McEllis," she said without meeting his gaze. She saw his eyes bulge and his face pale, "U.S. Marshal Jamison McEllis?!" he demanded, his voice becoming more high pitched than normal.

"Yes, that's the only Jamison McEllis I know," she replied innocently.

"Jesus H. Christ, you little pain in the ass!" Connor exclaimed. "The same Jamison McEllis you've been head over heels over for the last nine years? The same Jamison McEllis that took on seven gang members at once and was the last man left standing."

"Yes that one," Hallie replied simply. "And it was eight not seven," she added quietly.

Connor threw his hands in the air, "That makes me feel so much better!" he exclaimed. "That man will kill me for sure!"

"He's a lawman. He can't just murder you," she reminded him.

Connor nodded, "He's a lawman so he can and it wouldn't be murder!" he countered.

"Oh for goodness sakes!" Hallie exclaimed as she put her hands on her hips. "Are you honestly that afraid of the man?"

"Yes. Yes I am," Connor replied with a hearty nod.

"Honestly? Surely you are braver than that," she scolded as she stepped forward.

"Surely not," he replied, "And don't..." Before Connor could finish warning her about the crooked floor board, she tripped over it and stumbled. Hallie would have fallen but Connor jumped forward and caught her in his arms.

"Take your dirty, good for nothing hands off of my woman now." Both Connor and Hallie froze at the sound of Jamison's angry voice, "This ain't what it looks like," Connor said quickly.

"Hallie, step away from that man," Jamison warned, his angry blue eyes flashing.

Hallie bit her lip and moved away from Connor's arms, "Jamison, you can't kill him." she warned. She had to admit, however, that Jamison painted a very fine picture just about now. His blue eyes were flashing with a jealous possessive fire as he looked at her. His chest rose and fell quickly with his angry breaths and his nostrils were flared as his jaw tensed. His broad shoulders were thrown back and his legs spread wide as he stood there with one big hand hovering in the air just above his revolver.

"And why's that?" he asked, his voice contained a barely controlled fury that made Hallie tremble with excitement. How long had she been waiting for Jamison to show this kind of possessive desire for her? How long had she been wanting him to claim her as his own? She bit her lip and looked back at her cousin. She just prayed she hadn't killed her cousin in order to finally get Jamison to act the way she had always wanted him to.

"Why, Hallie?" Jamison asked again, "Is he your husband?"

"No, of course not," Hallie replied as she folded her arms over her chest and cocked her hip to the side.

"So you're just what? Playing whore for this skinny cowpoke in the barn stall?" he demanded angrily.

Hallie glare at him as her eyes narrowed, "Well why not?" she hissed. "I've been playing whore for you for the last nine years."

Jamison's jaw popped loudly as he clenched it tight. Hallie saw the anger intensify in his blue eyes as he strode across the dusty floor toward her and Connor. Hallie was a little afraid as he towered over her and looked down at her with a mixture of fire and ice in his eyes. Mostly though she was just excited. She had always loved Jamison's manliness. His ruggedness. The dangerous side of him. She knew he would never lay a forceful hand on her and therefore she didn't worry too badly about riling his temper.

Jamison grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to him before turning his gaze toward Connor who looked like he wanted to both defend her and run for his life at the same time, "Not a word from you unless you want a bullet right between your beady eyes," Jamison growled at the scared man.

"Yes, sir," Connor said in a shaky voice and Hallie rolled her eyes at the chicken of a man.

"Jamison..." Hallie started, deciding that she had carried her ruse far enough but Jamison threw her a look that had her mouth snapping shut.

"One more word out of your mouth and I'll stick a gag in it. I don't want to hear you speak again until I tell you to, understood?" Hallie glared at him, unsure that she liked that tone to his voice but she nodded in agreement. She had actually never seen him so angry. He was nearly vibrating with his rage and she was in no hurry to push him any further or tell him about her dishonesty.

She let out a loud yelp of shock that had the horses in their stalls snorting as Jamison grabbed her around the waist and tossed her over his broad shoulder as if she weighed no more than a feather.

"What are you doing?!" she demanded. He tossed his shoulder, sending her head thumping into his back. She rubbed her sore nose and thought about kicking him in the face. Then again he was very tall and if she kicked him he was sure to drop her and that would probably hurt quite badly.

Hallie bit her lip to keep from saying anything else as he strode out of the barn and then tossed her quite unceremoniously onto her backside on the saddle of her horse. She almost spoke then but he sent her a glare that had her biting her tongue so sharply she thought for a moment she might soon taste blood.

He took her mare by the reins and led it to the large gray horse he had ridden to the ranch on. He jumped in the saddle in one fluid motion and then they headed off toward town with Jamison holding tightly to Hallie's mare's reins. Silence accompanied them into town. A heavy, uncomfortable silence that had Hallie shifting in her saddle as she watched the muscles and tendons jumping in Jamison's jaw.

They rode into town and Hallie saw all the stares that were sent in their direction. She looked at Jamison but he was still looking stubbornly ahead and refusing to turn toward her. She was about to speak and say that enough was enough when she realized he was turning them in the direction of the small white church in the center of town.

"What are we doing?" Hallie asked, wondering if perhaps he was going to plan her funeral and she needed to make a run for it.

"What the hell do you think I'm doing? I'm marrying you of course," he replied in a stony voice as he pulled his horse to a stop and jumped down.

Hallie stuttered and couldn't seem to speak as he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her from her horse. He hitched both horses to the post and then began to drag her by the hand toward the church. She regained the use of her mind and basic motor functions and dug her feet into the dusty ground.

"Stop!" she exclaimed.

Jamison stopped suddenly and turned toward her, "What?"

"I won't do this," she replied stubbornly as she yanked her arm from his grasp and raised her chin.

"Well why the hell not? You've been wanting me to marry you for years now!" Jamison exclaimed and then he laughed harshly, "Don't tell me you're actually in love with that skinny little boy!"

"Of course not!" Hallie replied with a roll of her eyes. "He's my cousin."

"You're cousin?" Jamison growled, "You lied to me?"

"Of course I did. I had to. Your head has been so far up your well toned backside for the last nine years, I knew that it would take something drastic to pull it back out."

Jamison stared at her with shock. Sure it had taken something drastic alright, being transported to the year 2011 to be exact, but for Hallie to lie to him??? That hurt.

"I can't believe you'd lie to me," he said as he took a step back.

Hallie squared her shoulders and met his gaze, "Yes well you called me a whore," she spat back.

Jamison shook his head, "I did no such thing!" he exclaimed.

Hallie snorted and nodded angrily, "Oh yes you did! Right out there at the ranch you accused me of being a whore!"

Neither of them realized that their rather loud argument was drawing the attention of quite a few of the townsfolk.

"Well I'm sorry," Jamison replied lamely. "I certainly didn't mean that."

"Of course you didn't," Hallie replied with a wave of her hand.

"Isn't there anything you're sorry for?" he asked, his voice barely more than a low growl, which caused the crowd to move in a little closer so they could hear it.

"Nope," Hallie replied as she polished her nails on her skirt and then eyed them in the sunlight, "There's only one man I've ever loved, Jamison McEllis, and if you'd have been using your God given brain then you would have realized that and seen my lie for what it was."

"So now I'm stupid?" he demanded.

Hallie shrugged again, "Your words, not mine," she replied and she nearly laughed out loud at the flash of temper in his blue eyes.

"I guess you're right, Hallie. I'd have to be one million kinds of stupid to be so deep in love with a lying, conniving, little pain in the ass like you!"

Hallie froze. She dropped her shocked hands to her side and stared at him in wonder as tears gathered behind her eyes. Never before in nine long years had Jamison ever said that he loved her.

"You love me?" she asked quietly and she saw his blue eyes soften just a little as he looked down at her.

"Hell yeah I love you."

"You all are drawing a crowd..." the preacher said as he stepped out of the church and looked at them both with exasperation.

"Sorry 'bout that," Jamison said. "I still can't believe you lied to me about your cousin," he scolded looking down at Hallie.

"You deserved it," she assured him.

"Why don't we just do this quickly before you curse and yell anymore outside of my church..." the preacher said with a sigh. "Marshal McEllis, do you take her as your wife?"

"Hell, I might as well." Jamison replied with a shrug. The preacher sent a look up to the lord seeking forgiveness and then looked at Hallie who was still misty eyed as she stared up at Jamison.

"Hallie, do you take him to be your husband?"

"Of course!" she replied happily.

"Then I pronounce you both husband and wife. Now go take your yelling and name calling somewhere else and I'll bring the papers to you later to sign."

The surrounding crowd of townsfolk clapped and let out a loud resounding, "It's about time!"

Jamison nodded and grabbed Hallie, scooping her up into his arms and heading toward her dressmaking shop with long purposeful strides. He threw a glance at the sheriff as they passed by him, "Set our horses up at the livery," he said and then walked away before waiting to hear the sheriffs response.

Hallie could hardly breath as Jamison carried her across the dusty streets in broad daylight. Never before had he ever shown her affection where anyone might see it. She felt her breath catch when he used his chin to slide her bonnet back and gently kissed her soft red hair.

He carried her down the alley and through the back door directly into her bedroom. He kicked the door closed with his dirty boot and then carried her to the bed. He tossed her onto the soft mattress gently and Hallie watched with trembling anticipation as he removed his hat and tossed it onto the bedpost. Next he unhooked his gun belt from his lean hips and dropped it to the floor before pulling off his boots.

"Marshal, I do believe you are trying to show off," Hallie whispered coyly as Jamison grinned and slid out of his vest and shirt. Hallie felt her breath catch as he slid out of the rest of his clothes and she took in the sight of his hard, solid body. Jamison had always had the ability to steal her breath and turn her body to a trembling heap of heat and longing.

"Come here," he all but growled and she quickly stood from the bed and went into his waiting arms.

His lips claimed hers and he wasted no time in deepening the kiss and plundering her mouth with his hot, hungry tongue. Hallie felt his fingers expertly undoing the buttons of her dress and sliding it down her body until it fell to a pool of fabric at her feet.

His lips moved across her cheek, brushing against her ear and then lingering against her neck before traveling down to her exposed shoulder as his rough, calloused hands pushed her underclothes down and they joined her dress on the floor.

He laid her down gently on the bed, bracing himself over her and exploring her body with his hands and his mouth until she moaned and bucked beneath him and begged him breathlessly for more.

Jamison slid himself inside of her and claimed her as his own. As his wife. His body was screaming to go quickly but he forced himself to set a slow pace and take his time, moving slowly and covering her mouth, her neck, her eyelids with gentle kisses.

When her moans grew louder he allowed himself to pick up a faster rhythm and soon they were both clinging to one another and tumbling over the edge of bliss together as their moans filled the air inside the small bedroom.

Jamison stayed on top of her with his head against her chest, listening to the thundering of her heart as he waited for his own heart rate to slow. He realized that she still had her ankle boots on as they pressed against his calves and he lowered himself down and slid them off her tiny feet before falling to his side beside her and pulling her into his arms.

"Are you really gonna marry me?" Hallie asked quietly, several long peaceful moments later.

Jamison tightened his grip on her and breathed in the scent of lavender, "I said the damn words didn't I? All that's left is to sign that paper," he stated and he felt her smile against his bare chest. "And I'm gonna give up my marshal's badge too. I don't want to leave you waiting for weeks at a time while I ride away on business."

"Jamison, I would never ask you to do that!" Hallie exclaimed as she rose up to look into his eyes.

Jamison sighed and slid the strands of hair that had come loose from her face, "I know you wouldn't but I'm gonna do it anyway. Or maybe you want me to be gone so you can go back to picking up all the new ranch hands."

Hallie smacked his stomach and glared down at him, her green eyes flashing, "Hush! You know there's never been a man other than you in the last nine years."

"And there's never been a woman other than you," Jamison assured her.

Hallie laughed and shook her head, "Liar."

"I never lie!" Jamison exclaimed angrily as he released his hold on her. "Dammit woman, there ain't never been a woman other than you in nine years and you calling me a liar is a damn bad way to start out this marriage!"

Hallie stared at him in shock. She had known Jamison a long time and she knew the man inside and out. He was telling the truth. She felt her heart swell with more love than she knew what to do with, "Oh, Jamison! I love you," she sighed as she curled up to him.

"That's more like it," he grumbled as he pulled her close again. "I'm going to give up my badge and settle down here with you but first there is something I have to do and I'm not real sure how long it will take."

Hallie heard the seriousness in his tone and frowned, "What do you have to do?"

"I'm gonna head to Virginia," he replied.

Hallie nodded, "Are you going to try to find out what happened to Cavanaugh and his family?" Jamison nodded as he kissed her hair. He had told Hallie all about that horrible time just after it had happened. She had never told him that he was a monster for what he'd done because she was the type of woman that stood by her man no matter what, but he had seen the disappointment in her eyes.

"Yeah I'm gonna try. I owe it to my brother and to my niece and nephew to at least do that much."