Page 19 of The Mountain Man's Hunted Bride

Two days later, I’m in Cogburn again. I talked to the guys, and they think we can at least get the outside walls up, then we can do the inside over the winter. I finish the order at the lumber yard and make arrangements for it to be delivered in two days.

Gerdie and Tawny are finishing up another grocery run. Beck volunteered to go with them. I’m pretty sure he’s talking Tawny into more cookies. As a precaution, he’s been camping out in the woods at night. A confrontation is coming. I can feel it.

Chris, the oldest Stump boy is doing a piss poor attempt at discreetly following me since we made it to town. Now I’m in the bar across the street from the grocery waiting see what crawls out from under the woodwork. Checking my phone, I see Millard in the mirror as he swaggers in like he owns the place.

The female bartender sees him about the same time and crosses to where the male bartender is taking a break, then hightails it down the hall to the restrooms.

Tapping the record button on my phone, I slip it into my shirt pocket.

Stump sidles up to me at the bar. “You’re a dead man, Thorne. Nobody takes what’s mine. I own her and I’ll have her back before the month ends. And I’ll make damn sure she regrets having run off.”

I meet his gaze in the mirror behind the bar, raising an eyebrow. “Who are you talking about?”

“You know who. Tawny is mine. You may have married her and fucked her first. She’ll pay for that and so will you.”

“Your first mistake, Millard Stump, was treating her like your personal slave. The second mistake was thinking you could own her and steal her freedom. Your third and last mistake is thinking you could threaten me or take my wife from me.”

I wave the bartender over. “Hey Brad, it’s two thirty and I need to meet some people. Give Mr. Stump a beer on me. I think he just got some disturbing news.”

I straighten, toss enough bills on the bar for the bartender, and turn into Stump, forcing him to back up a couple steps. “Know this, Stump, I protect what’s mine. I’ll be prepared if you decide to come after her on my private property.”

I walk out the door, climb in my truck and end the recording. Then I send it to Sheriff Harker. Five minutes later I get a call.

“Got the threat on file. You know he’s too stupid to take your advice.”

“His choice. That’s why I made sure you know what’s going on.”

“I wouldn’t mind taking him down for good this time. Watch your back. His three oldest boys are just as bad. The whole damn town is afraid to speak out.

“My guess, it won’t be long,” he continues. “He’s always been arrogant and rash. He’ll make his move soon.”

“Yep,” I agree.

“Oh, before I let you go, I just heard the Cogburn city mayor just had the police chief removed and put on leave pending anoutside investigation. They’ve contacted the Oregon State Police. May be a job opening coming up.”

“Later.” I disconnect.

Driving to the grocery store parking lot is a quick trip. I back in close to the exit for easy loading and let Beck know I’m waiting. Watching my side mirror, I see movement by the trash dumpster.

A young man sticks his head out and dodges back. I’ve done my homework, I know that face. It’s Joey, Tawny’s youngest stepbrother from the second marriage. The good one.

I roll down my window and speak loud enough for him to hear. “You need something, Joey?”

He peeks out again.

“You want to talk? Back door’s unlocked.”

Glancing around once more, he staggers to the door listing heavily to one side and climbs in with a beat-up rucksack. “Is Tawny safe? I heard them say you stole her.”

“Who is they?”

“The Stumps.”

“They’re liars. She ran away from them and I’ve been protecting her. She and I got married so they can’t hurt her.”

Slumped into the seat the boy takes a shaky breath. I see the left side of his face is black and blue.

“Didyourape her?” he asks.