Julie Garwood - Come the Spring

the table, slid across on his side, his gun blazing. Bell lunged back

and froze. Daniel fired again as he dropped to the floor, rolled, and

fired again, this time at point-blank range.

Indifferent to the ear-shattering screams surrounding him as people

tried to escape, Daniel dropped his empty gun, grabbed the other one

out of his left holster, and slowly got to his feet.

It wasn't over yet. Daniel slowly extended his arm, cocked his gun,

and waited. His eyes bored into those of his enemy. Golden brown eyes

stared back.

Cole was desperate to get to Jessica. He fought like an animal to get

through the crazed people clawing their way to the doors. He hadn't

been able to get a clear shot since the first gunshots were fired, for

the crowd had swelled to its feet and surged in on him, screaming and

shoving and pushing to get away.

Cole was finally able to shove his way through the crowd. His gun was

out, but when the last men were shoved aside and he finally had a clear

view, his heart dropped.

Donald had Jessica in front of him and was backing toward the side

door. One arm held her tightly around the waist. The other held a gun

under her chin, the barrel pressed against her throat.

Jessica was fighting like a wildcat, scraping his arm with her nails

and kicking his legs with her heels.

He seemed impervious to her struggles. "What we have here, gentlemen,

is called a standoff. I'll blow her head off, and I'm sure that by

now, with my rather colorful history, you know I'd get a kick out of

watching your expressions after I kill her. Oh, I know you'll get me,

but not before I see how you react when her head explodes." His voice

hardened into concrete. "It'll be messy.

I've done it before." Jessica dug her nails into his skin, drawing

blood. "Stop it, " he ordered. "What's it going to be, Marshals? "

he demanded as he edged back.

Cole was slowly advancing down the center aisle. He was about five

feet away from Daniel, coming toward him at an angle now, when Donald

shouted to him. "Stop right there. I don't mind dying, " he

boasted.

"I've seen so much of it lately. If you want her to keep on breathing,

you'll stop right there and drop your guns." Neither marshal

reacted.

Cole's arm was rigid. Daniel shook his head.

"You aren't getting out of here. Let her go."

"I can't do that, " he said. "She's going with me. Look there.

Rebecca's crawling toward the judge's chambers. That's my girl."

Jessica kicked hard and struck bone. She felt as if she were being cut

in half, so forcefully did he squeeze her.

"I told you to stop, " he shouted in her ear.

"I won't stop until you let me tell Cole I love him. I have to tell

him, " she whispered. "I'll help you escape, I'll do anything you say

.

. . " Donald laughed. "Isn't that sweet, " he called out to the

marshals. "The little lady wants to say something to you."

"You got a clear shot? " Daniel asked Cole.

"No, " Cole answered, his voice harsh.

"Go ahead, angel, " Donald urged. "You can tell him."

"Cole, " she cried out.

He was dying inside. Dear God, please don't let him hurt her . . .

don't let him . . .

"Abilene." He knew what she was asking him to do. He had her

permission, he had his target, his gun was cocked, but God help him, he

couldn't do it.

Daniel took the shot for him.

"No." Cole roared the denial. In his mind's eye, everything happened

in slow motion. He saw Jessica's eyes flutter closed, saw her body

drift downward to the floor. His mind wouldn't accept any more. He

emptied his gun into the bastard, spraying him up against the wall.

Cole didn't stop. He kept pulling the trigger again and again and

again, the only sound now the clicking as the empty chambers rotated,

until Daniel grabbed the gun out of his hand.

"I didn't shoot her, " Daniel shouted in hopes that his words would cut

through Cole's stupor. "She's all right. She just fainted. Get her

off the floor." Cole rushed to her side and fell to his knees. His

hand shook as he pressed his finger against the pulse point at the base

of her throat. He felt the heartbeat, strong and rapid, and felt the

tears sting his eyes.

He gently lifted her into his arms and stood, cradling her against his

chest.

Jessica heard someone sobbing. She opened her eyes and saw Grace

running toward Daniel.

There was a deputy standing in the doorway of the judge's chambers,

watching Rebecca. The woman had her bloody hand pressed against her

bosom. Her other hand was braced against the wall and she was slowly

struggling to her feet when Grace ran past her.

"I'm all right, Grace, " Daniel called out as soon as he saw her

tears.

He fully expected her to throw herself into his arms, but Grace

suddenly stopped. A funny look crossed her face before she turned

around and ran back to Rebecca.

Daniel didn't have time to stop her. Grace made a fist, swung, and

coldcocked her. Rebecca crumpled to the floor.

Grace stepped back and looked at her. "It hurts, doesn't it? " Daniel

was so shocked he laughed. He stopped when Grace was in his arms,

kissing him.

"I love you, Daniel. I love you, " she fervently whispered as she

kissed his brow, his nose, his chin.

He tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes, and then he

whispered his declaration of love. "Don't marry Nigel."

"Because you love me, Daniel? " "I was getting to that, Grace . . .

because I love you." gvery one had gathered in the judge's chambers to

watch the doctor work on Daniel's shoulder. He was sprawled out on the

leather settee. Grace leaned against his side, holding his hand.

Cole sat nearby in an overstuffed wing chair with Jessica on his lap.

She had tried to sit next to him, but Cole wouldn't let her move.

The judge was still in the courtroom giving orders to two deputies

before they dragged Rebecca to jail.

Cole was deliberately taunting Daniel as the physician prodded the

injury with his instruments in search of the bullet.

"You're being awful brave, Daniel."

"Don't push me, Cole."

"It hurts, doesn't it, Daniel? " Grace asked.

"If I answer yes, are you going to coldcock me? " Daniel asked

dryly.

Every one laughed but Grace, who was clearly mortified. "You're never

going to let me live that one down, are you? " "No, " Daniel assured

her.

"I'm having the last laugh, " Grace boasted.

"How's that? " Daniel asked. His voice sounded calm, but his brow was

covered with beads of perspiration. He wanted to yell at the doctor to

hurry up and find the damned bullet, but he didn't say a word because

Grace was already anxious and upset.

"I never was going to marry Nigel."

"I know. I wouldn't have let you." Cole tugged on Jessica's blouse to

get her to look at him.

"I want to hear you tell me you love me. No more messing around,

Jessie. I mean it. This is your last chance or . . . " "Or what? "

He leaned down and whispered into her ear. She immediately turned

scarlet. "You wouldn't. . . not here in front of Grace and Daniel .

. . " "I'm a desperate man. If taking your clothes off is the only way

I can get you to cooperate, I'll do it."

"It sure would take my mind off this torture, " Daniel drawled out.

Grace covered her face and laughed. Jessica put her arms around Cole's

neck.

"I'm waiting, " Cole reminded her.

"I love you, Cole Clayborne. I love you." His expression turned

somber. "Forever, Jessica? " "Forever." The judge came striding into

his chambers with a full bottle of good whiskey. He poured drinks for

everyone and then sat down behind his desk.

"I'm still in shock, " Rafferty announced. "I can't believe that

Donald Curtis, a respected businessman in this town, a pillar of our

community, was the leader of the Blackwater gang. Whatever possessed

him to turn like that? " "Greed, " Daniel speculated.

"The thrill, " Cole suggested.

"Maybe Rebecca will be able to answer your questions about Donald. She

knew him well, " Jessica said.

"I know I shouldn't feel sorry for her, but I do, " Grace said.

"She loved him, and some women will do anything for the men they love,

even kill." The judge raised his glass and said, "Why don't one of you

marshals make the toast? " Daniel looked at Cole. "Are you keeping

your badge? " "Maybe. What about you? " "Maybe." Cole raised his

glass to Daniel. "To justice." Rosehill Ranch, Montana Territory Xma

Rose was sitting on the front porch enjoying the sunset.

It was her daily ritual and one she tried never to miss, for, in her

opinion, sunsets were one of God's special gifts to the world, and it

was her duty to take a moment to appreciate His wonders.

She wasn't alone, for squeezed up next to her was the newest addition