ROMANCE: Badass Boss (Billionaire Alpha Bad Boy Romance) (Western Mail Order Bride Calendar Contemporary) (40 page)

Chapter 6

The Plan

After several hours at the doctor’s place, there was no change in Otto’s condition. The doctor said they just had to wait and see what would happen. Albert said he would take Lena home.

“He’s tough, Jack. Otto will make it through this. We’ve been through worse together, God knows,” Albert said.

Jack nodded. He said goodnight to Lena and thanked Albert for his help.

He stayed by Otto’s side and fell asleep in the chair next to his bed.

Jack woke when the doctor was jostling him. “Jack?”

“Yes, doctor, what is it?”

The doctor put his hand on his shoulder. “He’s gone. Slipped away in his sleep.”

Jack stood and rushed to Otto’s side. He could see there was no more life in him. No more suffering or pain, either. Jack shed a few tears and said goodbye.

On his way home, Jack noticed Albert walk into the saloon across the street. Why was he leaving Lena alone? The thought bothered him, but as long as Raymond was in the saloon too, he figured Lena would be alright, and he could hear Raymond’s loud, obnoxious voice from the street.

Jack walked into his shop and started sopping up the water on floor with cloths as best as he could. As he cleaned up, he noticed the guns that Raymond and his men left with him to clean and repair. He now saw this as a good opportunity to make sure Raymond couldn’t hurt anyone with his gun.

Jack fixed the triggers on each of their guns to misfire. If they tried to use it, it would only backfire on them. That was just what they deserved.

Jack heard some raucous on the street and looked out his front window. Raymond, Bert and Chester were staggering out and talking loudly.

“That drunk old man in there was the horse trader. Now’s the time to make our move,” Raymond said to his boys.

Jack ducked to make sure they didn’t see him, but he kept listening.

“You mean steel the horses, Raymond?” one of the men asked.

“You two get the horses, I’m gonna get me some of that feisty virgin daughter.”

Jack’s blood began to boil. He wanted to blast all three of them away, but needed to come up with a plan.

“We need our guns if we’re gonna leave town, Raymond,” the other man said.

“Right,” Raymond agreed. “Looks like the blacksmith shop is abandoned.”

“I heard they took the old man to doc’s and the nephew is with him.”

“Perfect,” Raymond said. “Let’s go get our guns and then get out of this boring town.”

Jack sneaked out the back door and ran around the back when Raymond and the men entered the shop. He grabbed a few small stones and quietly ran across the street to their horses. He gently talked to Raymond’s horse until he was comfortable with him. Then he glided his hand down the horse’s leg down to his hoof. He tapped on the hoof and the horse lifted his leg. Jack put a couple of stones on the bottom of his hoof. It would stop him from running fast and probably make him stop. Jack hoped it would buy him some time.

He spotted Albert’s horse and jumped on him. He took off toward south of town toward Lena’s house. He hoped he could find it with the vague directions he knew. He had to get there before Raymond did.

Chapter 7

The Plan Backfires

Lena got out of the wash tub and put on clean clothes. It felt good to be clean and wash out the smell of smoke from the fire. She thought about Jack and how she felt with his arms around her. Though it was tragic to see his uncle’s shop in flames, and to know his uncle was in very bad condition, she was also grateful that Jack was there, and was pleased to see how he handled crisis. He was a real hero. The bravery he showed when he ran in after Otto and carried him to safety. It made her even more certain that he was the man God intended for her.

As she combed through her thick, snarly hair, she prayed for Otto and asked that God bring him healing whether it be in this life or on the other side. Peace came over her as she remembered Otto’s watchful, loving eye over her all of these years.

Lena jumped out of her seat when she suddenly heard banging on her front door. Who could that be? Was it that awful Raymond? Her father was gone. She was all alone.

She ran down the stairs and pulled the shotgun off of the wall. She needed to protect herself.

She stood in front of the door and heard the banging again.

“Who is it?” she yelled sternly.

“Lena, it’s me, Jack. Let me in! You are in trouble!”

“Jack?” She quickly lowered her weapon and opened the door. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Raymond and his men. I heard them talking. They are on their way here and they are up to no good.”

“Oh dear God,” Lena prayed.

“Bert and Chester are going for the horses, but Raymond is coming for you.”

Lena gasped.

“I bought some time by hindering Raymond’s horse. They would have to stop and clean out his shoe before he will run too fast. But we don’t have long.”

Lena handed Jack her shotgun and retrieved another one from the kitchen. “Thank you for the warning, and for the help.”

“Oh, and I jammed their guns, so we should have the upper hand.”

“How did you manage to do that?” Lena asked.

Jack looked out the window. “Never mind, they’re here.”

Bert and Chester whooped and hollered as they rode toward the pasture.

“They’re idiots!” Lena exclaimed. “They’re scaring the horses away with all that racket. They don’t even know how to steel horses.”

Jack laughed and put his finger up to his mouth. “Sh! I’m gonna go ‘round back and get on the other side of him. Do not open this door.”

Lena nodded.

“Blondie!” Raymond shouted. “Your dream has come true. I’m here for ya.”

Lena wrinkled her face in disgust and pumped her shot gun. “Take one more step and it will be your last,” Lena announced.

Raymond laughed and rubbed his hands together. “Hee hee! I love your energy girlie. I’ll bet you are a pistol in bed.”

Jack pointed his shot gun at Raymond’s back.  Raymond’s body tensed when he felt it.

“You have two guns on you now, Raymond. You move forward, Lena will blast you to pieces. You don’t leave, and you’re all mine. You either leave, or you die,” Jack warned.

Raymond put his hands in the air and turned around slowly to face Jack. “Aw, come on, Smithy. Where’s your adventurous spirit? I know you want her too. Hey, I’m willing to share. We can work something out.”

Jack put his finger on the trigger. “You will never touch one hair on that woman’s head.”

Raymond waved his hands as if he was surrendering. “Alright, alright. You win.”

Jack watched him carefully as he lowered his hands. He began walking away. Jack turned to look at Lena, and just when he did, he heard Raymond’s gun fire.

Lena opened the door. “Jack!” She ran to his side.

Raymond started screaming.

Jack held out his arm for Lena. “I’m fine.” She came to his side and he put his arm around her.

“What did you do to my gun? It backfired on me!” Raymond yelled.

Jack laughed. “Serves you right, Raymond. You’ll never be able to use your trigger finger again. You’re still better off than you’d be if Lena had gotten to you first!” Jack yelled.

Lena lifted her shotgun and aimed at him again. “Now get!”

Bert and Chester rode up to Raymond. “You alright, Raymond? What happened?”

“I about blew my hand off with my own gun. That Smithy did something to it.”

Raymond shook his hand and cried out in pain. “Where’s the horses?”

“We couldn’t find ‘em,” Bert said.

Raymond kicked the dirt, got on his old horse and rode off.

Lena and Jack watched them leave until they were long gone.

“I don’t think he’ll be back,” Jack said. “But I’ll stay in the front room tonight just in case.”

Lena leaned closer to him. “Thank you. I’m so glad you were here.”

Jack looked at her gun. “I think you would have been just fine without me, actually. You were somethin’ with that shotgun.” He smiled.

She looked at him. “Girls who grow up in the west know how to use a shot gun, or we don’t last long. Papa taught me that.”

“Your Papa is a wise man, and he raised a hell of a daughter.” Jack leaned in and kissed Lena.

Lena kissed him back. Her heart belonged to him now.

Chapter 8

I Do

The next few days were solemn for Jack, though he felt blessed to have Lena at his side for Otto’s funeral and for the cleanup and repair of the Blacksmith shop. Members of the church also contributed their time and skills to get the shop up and running again in under a week.

After that, life settled down and Jack started to see the pleasant side of Pine Bluffs. Jack and Lena spent the rest of the summer courting, enjoying each other’s company and helping each other with chores and tasks. Their lives fit so perfectly together, it felt like destiny. Summer flew by with lots of work at the shop, and spending down time with Lena and Albert.

The days grew colder and shorter, and the trees turned to the shades of autumn. Jack was ready to move forward with Lena, and he knew in his heart she was ready, too. After church on a crisp, sunny day, Jack invited Lena on a walk.

Lena happily took Jack’s arm and walked close to him.  Jack led her to one of his favorite scenic places at the top of a hill overlooking a large lake and bountiful trees. He faced her and held both of her hands.

“Lena, this summer with you has been the best time of my life. I can’t even remember now what life was like without you, and I never want to have to experience that again. I believe God created us for each other, and I want to ask you… will you marry me and become my wife?”

Lena jumped a little with excitement. “Yes, I will!” She wrapped her arms around him and held on like she never wanted to let go.

“I love you, Lena.”

“I love you too, Jack”

They kissed and embraced.

Jack talked with Albert and received his permission for her hand. Then he talked with Reverend Whitley and arranged for a Saturday wedding before it got too cold to enjoy a reception outside.

The women at the church were so happy for Lena. They were like mothers to her, and they volunteered to make her a new dress for the occasion.

“That’s not necessary,” Lena said. “I can wear my church dress.”

“Nonsense, this is our gift to you.”

Lena was grateful, and became more excited as their special day drew closer.

The morning of the wedding, the church ladies arrived at Lena’s house to help her with her hair and dress. They fixed her hair to be up in the front, but long in the back, allowing her curls to show. The dress was a soft, light blue fabric with silk buttons and lace on the sleeves and collar. She had never felt more beautiful.

Albert brought her to the church. Lena’s stomach felt full of butterflies. She was about to get everything she ever wanted.

Jack met her at the church. He held a small bouquet of goldenrod and sunflowers.

Lena’s face lit up. “Where did you find these?”

“In the field by the lake. They were so beautiful, I thought of you. Maybe you’d like to carry them today,” Jack said.

Lena held the flowers in her hand. She couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.

The small country building filled with their church family in the pews and Jack stood in front with the reverend.

Lena walked down the aisle, holding on to her father’s arm. She had tears streaming down her cheek. After saying their vows, exchanging rings and the announcement of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Nolan, Lena put her arm in Jack’s and walked down the aisle and out the door.

Lena looked at Jack with love in her eyes. She saw Jack look at her.

Then they heard a man yell out. “Hey, Smithy!”

Chapter 9

The Challenge

Jack stood in front of Lena. “Get back in the church. And tell everyone to stay there!”

“Come with me, Jack!” Lena cried.

“Then he’ll come after everyone. Just get in there!” Jack pushed her in and shut the door.  He could hear her yelling for him on the other side.

He hated hearing her terror, but he had to keep her safe. If he were to board himself in with everyone else, Raymond might just light the whole place on fire and killed them all. He had to face him, and he had to kill him, though he was not wearing his gun at his wedding.

“Let’s make this a fair fight between men, Raymond Denner. As you can see it’s my wedding day, and I am unarmed. Let me go to the shop and get my gun and you and I will have our showdown.”

“What, you mean a civilized gunfight? A duel?”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean. Unless you’re a coward, willing to shoot an unarmed man.”

Raymond spit on the ground. “I ain’t no coward. I ain’t no fool neither. I know you play dirty when it comes to gunnin.’ I had to switch to shootin’ with my left hand thanks to you and your games.”

Jack held his hands up. “Nothing dirty. No games. Just a fair fight. We’ll use neutral guns.”

Raymond spread his feet apart and stood strong with his left hand next to his gun in its belt. “I shoot you, I get blondie.”

“That’s up to Lena, and I don’t think she’ll go for that. You’ll face her shot gun again.”

“She’s your wife now, you’re property. You can give her to me.”

“Didn’t you hear, Raymond? People aren’t property anymore. We had a whole war over it, I’m sure you remember. Besides, she won’t be my wife if I’m dead. But this isn’t about her, really, is it Raymond. You want me. I hurt your ego, damaged your pride.”

“You don’t get the last word, Smithy. I won’t be the one runnin’ away this time.”

“Alright, then, we agree. Showdown. Tomorrow at noon. We’ll use new pistols from the general store.”

“You don’t show, Smithy, and your whole church ‘ll pay for it.”

“Oh, I’ll show. I wouldn’t miss it, Denner.”

Raymond relaxed his stance and walked away.

Jack breathed out. He felt sweat dripping from his forehead even though it was fifty degrees outside. He turned and walked into the church.

Lena fell into his arms and sobbed. The church body surrounded them in prayer.

Lena and Jack left the church and headed to Lena’s house. Albert agreed to stay at the Blacksmith shop apartment while the newlyweds honeymooned at his house.

Jack tried to lighten the mood and swoop Lena off of her feet like he imagined so many times their honeymoon night would be. But she was not playful. She was somber.

Lena sat on the bed and put her head down.

“What do you think you’re doing, Jack? A showdown?”

“It was the only option I could think of, Lena.”

“I can’t bear the thought of losing you.” Lena began to cry.

“You’re not gonna lose me, sweetheart. God will protect me just like He protected David against Goliath.”

Lena looked at him. “How do you know?”

“I know it in my heart. Everyone in the church is praying for me. I have faith. I need you to have faith too.”

“I want to have faith, Jack, but I am so scared.” She started crying again.

Jack held her close and let her cry.

“This isn’t how I imagined our first married night would be,” Lena said as she dabbed her eyes and tried to gain control.

“Me either. I just want to hold you, Lena, and take away all your fear.”

Lena stood. “I want more than that.”

Jack looked at her, surprised.

“Whether this is our last night or not, it is our wedding night. You are my husband, and I am your wife. We love each other and we vowed to cherish one another in good times and in bad. I will not waste this time we have crying and giving in to my fear. I’m going to focus on my love for you and yours for me.”

Jack held her hands. “Me too.” He stood up and kissed her.

There were no more tears that night. Jack and Lena made love as husband and wife ‘til death they do part.