Gabriel's Atonement (37 page)

The goats were finally settling down, although Bad Billy stared at the stranger as if knowing the man didn't belong. Lara glanced around. She hadn't seen a grave, but that hardly mattered. She glanced at Gabe, and he waved his hand, indicating for her to get behind him. She eased closer when the man looked over at the goat pen.

Gabe slipped in front of her. “Look, mister, we don't want any trouble. I won this land and registered the claim legally, so there's no way you can expect to live here without the law stepping in. Why not just take all the food you can carry and move on?”

“Silas Stone may have been born in the morning, but it weren't yesterday morn.” He pointed his gun at Gabe. “Send that purdy gal over here.”

Gabe stiffened. “That's not happening.”

“Now!” Silas stepped toward Gabe, waving the gun.

Bad Billy rammed the goat pen, obviously upset at the man's yelling. Lara couldn't let Gabe get shot. She moved to slide past him, but he grabbed her arm.

“Stay behind me.”

“I won't let him shoot you if I can stop it.”

“Ain't that sweet? Another lovers' quarrel. Get over here, lady, afore I plug your man.”

Lara stepped around Gabe, but he grabbed her arm again and shoved her back, glaring at her. Suddenly a shot rang out, and Gabe jerked. He moaned and grabbed his arm. The goats bleated a frantic chorus, and Bad Billy butted the pen post again, causing it to lean.

“Next time, I'll shoot 'im in the gut. Ain't no gettin' over that.”

Gabe straightened. “Run, Lara,” he whispered over his shoulder. She shook her head. “I am not leaving you.”

He clutched his arm, blood oozing through his fingers. “There's no way this will end well. I shouldn't have left my gun at camp.” He captured her gaze. “I love you, Lara.”

And she knew then that she desperately loved him, too, no matter what he'd done in his past. “I love you, too. I don't care what happened before.”

He smiled, though his beautiful eyes were filled with pain.

“Hey, lady. You comin' over here, or do I have to kill your lover boy?”

God help us! Please!

“Mama!” Michael suddenly ran out of the trees on the far side of the goat pen.

Lara sucked in a sharp breath. “Run, Michael. Run!”

Silas Stone pivoted and moved toward her son. Lara's heart nearly pounded out of her chest as Michael halted, looking confused.

“Hey there, little fellow. Nice to meet you.”

Lara was sickened by the man's syrupy tone. “Run!”

Gabe started toward Silas, but the man snatched up Michael and turned the gun on them again. Gabe stopped, keeping one hand over his wound. Blood oozed from it, staining his shirt.

“I warned ya. I ain't leavin'.” Michael squirmed, and Silas turned the gun toward him. “Hold still, boy. I wouldn't wanna hav'ta shoot ya.”

Lara's mind raced. What could they do? She wouldn't leave her son. No matter what.
Where are You, God?

“You two head on out. If I don't see no hide nor hair of you, I'll set the boy free in a few days.”

“He's too young to be on his own.” Gabe took a step toward Silas. “Give him to me, and we'll leave. Peacefully.”

Silas looked to be contemplating Gabe's request. He hiked Michael up higher, holding him against his chest.

Suddenly Bad Billy cried out an eerie bleat that almost sounded human. Silas looked over his shoulder toward the pen. Billy reared up and then butted the fence again. The post cracked and fell over. Silas stepped back at the same time the goat retreated. Lara watched in horror as the goat leaped over the mangled fence and headed straight for Silas Stone. The man fired wildly, missing the goat. Billy ran straight for him.

Lara screamed. “Michael!”

“Mama!”

Silas suddenly spun, tucked Michael against his chest, and huddled over the boy as the goat ducked his head and rammed Silas in the back. He screamed in pain as he stumbled to his knees, dropping his rifle and curling his body around Michael. The goat reared up then rammed the man again.

“Billy! No!” Lara yelled. Gabe started toward the trio, but she grabbed his sleeve, stopping him. “Don't! Billy's likely to attack you, too.”

Grandpa ran through the trees, his gaze wildly taking in the scene. He lifted his rifle, aiming it toward Silas.

“Grandpa, shoot Billy. Hurry!” Lara clung to Gabe's arm, afraid her son might get shot—might get harmed by the crazed goat.

Michael wailed as Silas roared in pain each time the goat rammed him, but the man courageously protected her child.

“Take the shot,” Gabe cried.

Lara could see Grandpa's rifle shaking, even from across the wide yard. He took aim, but at that moment, the goat backed up and halted. Billy snorted, staring at the man on the ground, then trotted back to his pen as if to check on his nannies. Grandpa looked at her, lowered his rifle, and shrugged.

Lara ran toward her son, but Gabe caught up and jerked her to a stop. “Lara, let me look first.”

She nodded, tears burning her eyes at the still forms on the ground, her heart ripping in two.
Don't take my son, Lord. Please
.

As Gabe approached the bodies, Grandpa kept his rifle trained on Billy. Gabe eyed the grazing goat then squatted on his heals. He rolled Silas Stone backward, and the man uttered no sound. Lara held her breath, watching her son. Suddenly, he unfolded his body, sat up, and leaped into Gabe's arms so fast that Gabe fell over backward, groaning and then chuckling.

Though weak with relief to see Michael was safe, Lara pushed her feet into motion. Michael climbed off Gabe, hopped up, and ran to her. She bent down and scooped him into her arms. “Oh, baby.”

He hugged her for a short moment then pushed back. “I'm not a baby.”

Lara laughed out loud. “No, you're a very brave boy, and I'm so thankful you're not hurt.”

Michael dipped his brows, looking serious. “I was scared, but I didn't cry.”

She hugged him again. “You're a very brave boy.”

“Mr. Gabe is hurt.”

Lara glanced at Gabe, who laid faceup on the ground. Grandpa had tied up Billy, so she set Michael down. “Could you please fetch my medicine basket from the dugout?”

He nodded and trotted off. Still shaking, Lara hurried toward the man she loved, praying his wound wasn't too severe. She couldn't lose him now.

Lara sat down beside Gabe, resting her hand on his chest. She blew out a relieved sigh at the strong, steady beat of his heart. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, but I decided to rest while I was down here since it looked as if the storm was over.”

“I need to have a look at your wound.”

He pushed up to a sit, grimacing. “I need to check on Mr. Stone.”

“But you're hurt.”

“I insist.” He grinned at her, sending butterflies dancing in her belly in spite of all that had happened, then his expression sobered. “There's a chance he still could be dangerous.”

Lara shook her head. “I think his dangerous days are past.”

Gabe rose and walked over to the injured man. He kicked Mr. Stone's gun away then knelt down and rolled the man onto his back. The right side of his face was covered in blood. “I suspect his back is broken, and it looks like his temple smashed against a sharp rock.” He glanced up at her and shook his head. “He's gone.”

Lara hugged her arms to her chest, thinking about the close call they had. “It may be awful to say, but I'm glad we won't have to worry about him returning.”

Gabe clutched his wounded arm. “Thank God the man protected Michael. Maybe it's true that there's some good in everyone.”

“You're right, and I'm extremely grateful for that, but he did put my son in danger in the first place.”

The dugout door bounced against the side of the hill, and Michael trotted out with her basket.

Grandpa wrapped an arm around her shoulders then placed a kiss on her forehead. “I'm sure thankful everyone is all right. God was with us today.”

“Yes, He was.” Lara returned his hug. “Will you keep Michael busy while I tend Gabe and we do something with…Mr. Stone?”

He nodded. “C'mon, Shorty. We've got some fish to clean.”

Michael held out the basket to her and glanced at Silas's body. “Is he a bad man?”

Lara passed the basket to Gabe then pulled her son against her. “Yes, but you don't have to be concerned. He can't bother us now.”

“He's dead?”

“Yes.” She kissed the top of his head. “Go help Grandpa while I doctor Gabe.”

Michael leaned back, his brow puckered. “Is he gonna die, too?”

Lara's heart jolted at the thought. She smoothed Michael's chaotic curls and smiled. “No, sweetie. I don't think he's hurt that bad. You go on now, and don't worry.”

Looking relieved, Michael ran to Grandpa and took his hand, and they disappeared through the trees.

“I do feel like I'm dying,” Gabe muttered.

“Don't joke about such a thing.”

Fast hoofbeats sounded behind her, and Lara spun, hoping Silas Stone didn't have a partner. Relief weakened her knees. Luke had come to help. She helped Gabe up and tugged him toward a chair she'd pulled outside earlier. “Sit down, and hold my medicine basket in your lap.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

She knelt beside him, dug out her scissors, and cut his sleeve off, even though she hated ruining the nice shirt. Gabe started telling Luke what happened. When she dabbed at the wound, Gabe jerked and hissed.

“Easy, there,” he said.

“Don't be a baby, boss.” Luke grinned. “It looks like it's only a flesh wound.”

“Well, it's my flesh wound, and it hurts like—” He glanced at Lara and pursed his lips. Then he turned back to Luke. “Would you get that body out of here before Michael comes back? I don't want him seeing it again.”

Luke nodded, picked up Mr. Stone, and tossed him over Golden Boy's back.

Lara focused on Gabe's injury. “It is only a deep flesh wound, thank the Lord.” She cleansed the gash in his skin then applied some salve and a tight bandage. “There. That should do it.” When she rose, Gabe did, too, albeit a bit shaky.

“Lara…” He grabbed her hand. “I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I only wanted to help you and Michael in the beginning, to make things easier for you, but then you went and stole my heart, and I couldn't stand not being in your presence.” He wobbled, and she tightened her grip on him.

“Sit, Gabe, before you fall.”

He did as ordered, leaning his head in his hands. “I'm sorry for ever complaining about those smelly goats.”

Lara smiled and gazed through the trees at the sky above. Today could have ended so differently. She could have lost the man she dearly loved. She could have become the victim of a horrible man. She owed God her gratitude.

And there was no denying that in spite of everything, she loved Gabe. The circumstances that brought them together were unique. She was sorry Tom died the way he did, but he died like he lived. Gabe might have thought he was helping her to ease his guilt, but she believed God sent him as an answer to her prayers.

After several moments of prayer, she stepped close to the chair, ran her fingers through Gabe's hair, and pressed his head against her stomach. He held completely still, barely even breathing. “Gabe, look at me. I need to say something.”

He took a deep breath and leaned back.

“I want you to know that I forgive you for shooting Tom. I realize it wasn't your fault. Tom never should have called you out like he did.”

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply then looked up at her. “Thank you. You can't know how much that means to me.”

“You asked me to marry you. Today, it's my turn. Will you marry me, Gabriel Coulter?”

The dull glaze in his eyes instantly changed to a bright gleam. He pushed up then cupped her cheek. “I most certainly will. There's nothing I'd like better.”

She stepped even closer, careful of his arm, and leaned against him. He crushed her to his side, placing kisses on her head. When she looked up, she knew all her prayers had finally been answered. Not the way she'd ever dreamed though. God sent her a gambler who'd won her heart, and she looked forward to spending the rest of her days with him.

Jo handed the customer her change and smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Cleary. Please come again.”

“Oh, I will, deary. Thank you for your assistance.”

With Mrs. Cleary gone, Jo relaxed, glad the store was empty for the first time in an hour. She skirted around the corner and straightened the bolts of cloth she and Mrs. Cleary had looked through. Wouldn't Lara be surprised to learn that she'd helped women pick out dress fabric and ribbon and lace to match?

Pride soared through her. She knew that if she found a job, she could live on her own. Today marked a full week of working in Mark's store, and it had been wonderful. Yes, it was work, but it was fun work. She especially enjoyed opening the crates and unpacking the new items. That was her favorite task so far.