Chapter Twenty-Six

Andrew began to stir on the swing when he heard a car door slam but then the loud boom of a shot gun being fired had him leaping from the swing, throwing a startled Bethany behind him and pulling his revolver.

Through blurry, sleep filled eyes he realized that it was Silas standing there in the drive with his gun pointed straight at Andrew's chest, "Bethany, get on down here now." Silas growled.

Ian and Cavanaugh both came bursting from the house with their own guns drawn and Silas shook his head. "This don't concern neither of you," he stated.

"Papaw, what are you doing?" Bethany exclaimed as she tried to come around Andrew but he kept her held in place firmly with his arm.

"I should ask you the same question, girl!" Silas exclaimed.

Nicole came onto the porch then and Cavanaugh noticed that she too had a gun. A rifle of some sort. He couldn't help but smile. She certainly wasn't a helpless damsel that was for sure.

"Papaw, nothing happened. I just came to talk to Andrew is all and we fell asleep on the swing."

"You're gonna come with me now, girl, and you ain't never gonna see that boy again," Silas ordered.

Nicole stepped forward, lowering her gun, though Cavanaugh didn't relax his own. Nicole might trust Silas but the fact remained that the man had a shot gun and he seemed damn angry enough to use it. It would be a cold day in hell before Cavanaugh let him use it on her.

"Uncle Silas, calm down and put the gun away," Nicole urged soothingly and Silas seemed to think hard about the request for several moments before holstering the shotgun.

"Papaw, I don't want to leave just yet," Bethany added, trying hard to get enough courage to face down her papaw and speak her mind. Both were things she had no experience in doing.

"You're leaving," Silas countered.

Bethany finally managed to push past Andrew and came to a stop on the porch steps, "Papaw, I'm a grown woman now," she reminded him.

He snorted as yanked off his baseball cap, "I failed with your mama, girl, but I won't fail with you. That boy won't do nothing but ruin your life."

"Andrew ain't that bad," Ian countered. "He might make her a bit of a nervous wreck but I don't think he'd actually ruin anything."

"Not helping," Nicole stated through clenched teeth and Ian grinned.

"Papaw, I care about Andrew. I can make my own decisions."

"He can't support you. Hell he ain't even from this time! He can't get a job or take care of you! You need to go to college and marry a man who can give you security."

"I'll take care of her just fine," Andrew countered, growing angry as he holstered his gun.

"How?" Silas demanded and Andrew remained silent because he didn't have an answer right off hand. "Now come on, Bethany."

"No," Bethany replied.

Silas's face turned nearly purple with his anger, "You either come with me now or I'll wash my hands of you," he threatened.

"Uncle Silas...." Nicole scolded.

He glared at her, "You don't speak to me. If you hadn't brought that good for nothing boy to my ranch this wouldn't have happened."

"Hey now, watch how you talk to her, sir," Cavanaugh warned.

"Papaw, don't make me choose. That isn't fair. You know I'm grown up and I'm mature. This isn't some rebellious streak I'm going through. I want to be with Andrew and he is a good man."

"A good man wouldn't have kept you out all night twice in a row after just meeting you," Silas countered.

Bethany sighed sadly, "So you're really making me choose?" she asked with tears in her voice.

Silas nodded, his face hard, "Yes I am."

Bethany swallowed hard and Andrew prayed like hell she chose him. When he felt her tiny hand clasp onto his he nearly collapsed with relief.

"That's your choice then?" Silas demanded and Bethany nodded. Silas nodded as well and turned his back. "You can come and get your things. If you want to be grown and mature then you can do so out of my house."

Nicole called out for Silas again but the man just got in his truck and drove away.

Ian grunted and walked back into the house and Cavanaugh wanted to do the same but Nicole looked so sad that he didn't want to leave her.

"Just give him time, Bethany. He'll come around," Nicole assured the girl.

"I doubt it." Bethany replied. "My mom let him down once and he never has spoken to her since." Nicole hugged Bethany and then Cavanaugh took her gently by the arm and led her inside.

"You just got kicked out of your house and disowned," Andrew stated.

Bethany rolled her eyes and gave him a droll look, "Thank you for stating the obvious."

"You did that for me?" he said with disbelief.

Bethany nodded and sniffed back tears, "Don't make me regret it."

***

"I have to head out now, Hallie," Jamison said as he adjusted his gun belt and slid his derringer in his boot.

Hallie nodded as she opened her dresser drawer and grabbed a derringer pistol of her own. She dropped it in her dress pocket and grabbed her straw hat, "I'll head out with you."

"I don't think you will," Jamison stated sternly.

"Oh I think I will. I have spent nine years watching you ride off and never knowing for sure if I'd ever see you again. I'm going to ride with you this time."

Jamison was certain the woman had plumb lost her mind, "These men I'm trying to find are cold blooded murderers," Jamison reminded her. "They killed a woman and two children that I know of and probably more! There is no way on God's green earth that I am letting you ride along with me. It's too dangerous."

"You don't have a choice, Jamison," Hallie stated, squaring her shoulders and setting her stubborn jaw. "I'm not asking permission." Jamison growled under his breath and crossed his arms over his chest. "You are not coming. They raped Leah before they killed her. Do you think they'd hesitate to do the same to you?" he demanded, the very thought making his stomach turn.

Hallie felt a bit of fear but didn't let it show on her face, "I'll have the one and only Jamison McEllis for protection," she replied and then she shrugged. "Besides, I'm nearly thirty years old and know how to take care of myself. You might just end up needing someone to watch your back, old man."

"Old man?" Jamison asked flatly. "We're the same damn age, pretty lady."

"I'm coming, Jamison," she said stubbornly.

Jamison shook his head and stepped close to her. Her took her in his arms, holding her flush against him and pressed his lips gently to her ear, "It took nine years for me to realize that I love you, old girl, I ain't quite ready to lose you yet."

Hallie rose on her toes and hovered with her lips just over his, "Nice try. I'm still coming," she whispered as their breath mingled.

Jamison growled and released his hold on her, "You ain't going, woman, and that's that! I'm the husband and you will obey me, just like you vowed to!"

Hallie's green eyes flashed and she put one hand on her rounded hip and pointed a finger hard into his chest, "I didn't vow to obey nobody!" she exclaimed. "All I remember is saying I'd be your wife so don't you go putting words into my mouth that were never there! You might be big tough U.S Marshall Jamison McEllis but you don't scare me and I won't have you bossing me around either!"

If there was one thing Jamison had never been able to resist it was Hallie in a temper. Those green eyes flashing, those freckled cheeks flushed with color and that stubborn jaw set firm. Damn she was something.

He took her into his arms and claimed her lips with his in a kiss that was rough and possessive. His big hands roamed over her back and then gripped her backside, pulling her closer and hoisting her body into the air. Her strong legs wrapped tight around his waist as he led her to the bed and lowered her down onto the soft blankets.

He pushed her arms over her head, holding them in place with one hand as his other hand traveled down her body and closed around her full breast through her dress, teasing and molding her nipple into a tight peak.

Hallie moaned and her eyes slipped closed as he lowered his lips to her neck and his hand slipped lower. Hallie loved this side of Jamison. The possessive man who loved her body so thoroughly just to prove that he could and she was more than happy to let him!

Suddenly her passion filled body was turned cold when she felt a set of metal shackles close around her wrist. She twisted her neck to look up at her hands just in time to see Jamison attach the other end of the shackles to the bedpost.

"What the hell are you doing?" Hallie hissed.

Jamison gave her a regretful smile as he stood up, "Keeping you safe." he replied, wishing the bulge in the front of his trousers would ease. Keeping Hallie safe was painful.

"You cuffed me to a bed!" she exclaimed. "Unhook me now!"

"No," Jamison stated as he picked up his fallen hat and plopped it back on his head. "If I unhook you then you'll follow me."

"If you unhook me I'll kill you." she snarled as she kicked at him and he stepped back.

"All the more reason to keep you just like that." he replied.

Hallie couldn't believe he actually had the nerve to grin, "There is going to be hell to pay for this, Jamison McEllis."

"You'll thank me when you're an old lady, safe and sound, because I kept you out of harms way," Jamison countered. He wanted to get one more kiss but judging by the look on her face that would probably end with him dead. "I'll tell the sheriff to come unhook you after sundown. That way you can't follow after me today and if those clouds and the pain in my shoulder are any indication it's gonna rain soon enough and you won't be able to follow me tomorrow either."

"Sundown! That's a good twelve hours away!" Hallie exclaimed.

Jamison nodded, "I know. I really am sorry. It's your own fault you know. If you weren't so stubborn then this never would have happened." Hallie just glared at him and Jamison sighed and walked to the door. He grabbed his saddlebags from the floor and put them over his shoulder. He opened the door and stopped in the sunlight. He turned to look at her and smiled.

"I love you, Hallie McEllis," he called. He managed to slam the door just before the pillow Hallie had hurled in his direction struck against it.

***

Hallie was fuming as she sat in the bed with one arm attached to the bedpost and the other holding her chin as she thought about exactly how she was going to get loose.

She couldn't believe that Jamison had actually tied her up! She would get him back for that just as soon as she caught up to him, because she would catch him. There was no way the man was going to go riding into danger and leave her behind. Nine years of that were nine years too many and it wasn't going to happen again.

She looked down at the floor and saw Jamison's dirty trousers laying there in a crumpled ball. They had only been married a couple of days and already he was showing what a slob he was. Then a thought came to her. What if he'd left a key in his pockets? She knew he had more than one key to these shackles and maybe, just maybe, she could get lucky.

Smiling for the first time in the hour since he'd left, Hallie reached out with her foot, hooked the pants with her toe and then hauled them onto the bed.

With her free hand she began to search through his pockets. She found an empty pouch of chewing tobacco, some shotgun shells, a few rounds of ammunition for his revolver and then her hand closed around the small piece of metal that she knew was her ticket to freedom.

She pulled out the key and quickly undid the shackles binding her to the bed. She rose to her feet and smiled. Jamison McEllis was in for a world of hurt when she caught up to that damned man.

***

Jamison sank down into the tub of hot water with a sigh. He loved this hotel and made it a point to stop by here every chance he got when traveling so he could use their extra large tubs. Most standard tubs were far too short for a man with his build to be able to stretch out properly.

He had ridden all day and was going to take the train from here to Grady Virginia, then it would be another day on horseback to reach Cav's old homestead so he could have a talk with the man who lived next door.

Jamison wondered where Hallie was. The woman thought she was slick but he knew damn well that somehow she had gotten loose from those shackles and she had been following him all day. He had pretended not to notice her because he was sure her pride was wounded enough from being tied to the bed but he was curious as to why she hadn't made an appearance now that they were in town.

The hot water felt good on his aching shoulder. It was raining outside and the rain had always wreaked havoc on his old bullet wound. He laid his head back against the side of the tub and thought about his brothers and Nicole. He was surprised to find that he missed all of them, even Cavanaugh. He wondered if his brother had given in to fate yet and let himself move on with Nicole.

Hell for all Jamison knew they could be back in 1875 already and just be in some other town. Jamison had finally confided in Hallie about his time in the future and while she had been disbelieving at first he had finally seen acceptance in her eyes and she had realized he was telling the truth. She was an amazing woman and he truly did love her. Too bad she'd probably kill him when she saw him again.

Jamison became so comfortable that he found himself drifting off to sleep just as a knock came to his door. He had a dressing screen in front of the tub, blocking his view of the door and he picked his revolver up and cocked it quickly.

"It's unlocked," he stated, "But I'm a bit busy right now," he added. He had left the door unlocked to make it easier for Hallie to get in, though he knew this couldn't be Hallie. That woman wouldn't knock, she'd just come charging in here, fists raised and ready to knock his head clean off his shoulders.

The door opened and Jamison waited for the newcomer to speak.

"You better be talking quick before I blow you full of holes," he warned and a feminine giggle reached his ears.

Oh shit.

Jamison put the gun down and looked around for something to cover himself with but the only thing close enough was his hat. He grabbed it and laid it over his lap.

"Miss, I'm a bit busy right now," he said quickly.

"Too busy to entertain a lady, lawman?" she asked breathlessly. Her voice was high pitched and breathy and somehow familiar though Jamison didn't know why. Shit. Shit. Shit. Who was she and what was she doing here?! And dear god what would happen if Hallie happened to walk in and caught her?

Jamison knew damn well what would happen. Hallie would be a widow because she'd put a bullet in Jamison for sure!

"I'm not sure who sent you up here, miss, but I ain't interested," Jamison swallowed hard. "Just show yourself back out now."

The door closed but Jamison could see the silhouette of a woman on the other side of the screen. She hadn't left. He nearly shit himself when he heard the lock engage on the door. He sent up a silent prayer to God to help him out of this mess.

"Ma'am..." he swallowed hard again. "I done told you I'm not interested."

"You haven't seen what I have to offer yet," she countered in that voice that made his heart thunder in his chest.

Jamison watched her silhouette in the candlelight as she slid from her dress. Jamison felt himself grow hard beneath his hat as she ran her hands down the length of her body and he saw the outline of her full breasts and rounded hips.

He cursed his traitorous anatomy and licked his lips as he continued to watch her. Suddenly her cream colored underclothes were tossed over the top of the screen and hung there and he realized that she was now naked.

"Ma'am...." he managed to croak and then a slender, freckled leg was stuck around the side of the screen. A soft knee was bent and the leg was lifted high. Jamison felt his mouth grow dry as he stared at that leg and then he shook his head and grinned hungrily when he saw that heart shaped mole on her pale calf.

He would recognize that damn leg anywhere.

"Well, ma'am, you've talked me into it," he growled. "Why don't you come on around here and quit playing hard to get."

"Close your eyes." she whispered and Jamison shrugged. If the woman wanted to keep this up then he would let her.

"Yes, ma'am." He tossed his hat aside and laid his head back letting his eyes slip closed.

He heard her soft footsteps coming toward the tub and then her breath was on his neck as she knelt beside him. He jerked beneath her touch and fought the urge to pull her into the water with him when he felt her soft hands on his chest.

Her heart shaped lips trailed across his jaw and he gripped the edges of the tub tight, "Just don't tell my wife about this," he warned as a wide grin split his face. "She's a mean little she-devil that would probably kill us both for sure."

"Damn you, Jamison! You knew it was me the whole time didn't you?!" Hallie demanded as she pulled away from him and his laughter filled the room.

He opened his eyes and took in the sight of her naked body, "Not the whole time. You had me pretty damn scared there for a minute. Then you showed me your leg. Did you honestly think that after all these years I wouldn't recognize your body when I saw it?"

He saw a blush cover her cheeks and neck as she crouched down and tried to cover herself, "I'm damn mad at you, husband mine," she warned him.

He nodded, "And I'm damn mad at you, wife. I told you ya couldn't come and I don't have a clue how you got loose but then you followed behind me all day.... Don't act so surprised that I knew you were there," he said in response to her disappointed look. "I didn't get to be the age I am in the life I live by being easy to sneak up on."

"You'd think at the age you are you'd have learned not to leave keys to your shackles in your dirty pants, crumpled up by the bed."

"So that's how you got loose?" Jamison asked with a sigh.

"I'm coming with you, Jamison," she stated.

He nodded with defeat. Her bravery and stubbornness were just two of the things he loved about her. He reached out and ran his finger down her bare arm, causing her to tremble, "Okay, but you have to do as I say. Do you have any idea what would happen to me if I didn't have you anymore?" Hallie smiled and leaned into his hand, which was now resting on her cheek, "Yes I do," she replied. "Because it's the same thing that would happen to me if I didn't have you."

"Well get on in here then, deputy," Jamison growled and she squealed with laughter as he grabbed her around her waist and hoisted her into the tub. Her laughter quickly became moans as he settled her atop his aching arousal and covered her lips with his own.

"I'm still mad at you." she managed to gasp and he grinned before nipping at her shoulder.

"Yes ma'am."