Page 7 of The Mountain Man's Hunted Bride

The last six months have been good for me living off retirement pay and rental property. Old tendencies still kick in, but the need to control everything around me has lessened and is manageable now when it occurs. The life and death responses from my military years aren’t constantly on my mind or in my periphery.

Until they’re triggered.

I think of the young woman inside whose mother was probably murdered by her stepfather. I’ll watch over her as long as she needs me.

She’ll be your wife. What happens if you don’t want her to leave?

I give my head a shake. She’s too young. I’m too old. Too jaded for it to be real.

You sign the contract and you’re married.

I’ll keep her safe until we can get her set up on her own. That’s all I’m doing.

I hammer in the last nail that supports the coop and test the door. Turning, I see her lingering by the pen gate.

“You need something, Tawny?”

“It’s time for lunch. Gerdie said to tell you there’s bedding and feed in the back of the truck.” She glances down at her feet. “I brought one of the feed bags over.

“Do you think we could get them set up quickly? The don’t like the little cage they’re in. They need room to move.”

“Sure. You go tell Gerdie I’ll be a few minutes while I grab everything from the truck.”

“I’ll be right back to help. They know me and won’t be as scared if I’m here to settle them in.”

As someone who acts pretty scared herself, she would know. She tenderly lifts each animal into the enclosure calling them by name and reassuring them they will be safe and like their new home.

Inside, Gerdie has just finished dishing up and pouring water. Not known for her cooking, I’m surprised at the layout. “Smells great. What’d you buy?”

“I’ll have you know, I sliced the bread, sprinkled cheese on it and stuck it in the oven, just like Tawny told me. Then I tossed the salad. But the lasagna was made by Tawny.”

“Gerdie, I’m impressed. Never seen you with anything that wasn’t take out or store bought. And I’ve known you for over twenty years.”

“And you should be thankful I never tried to feed you anything I cooked. Now Tawny, she could give a few of the cooks in town a run for the money. Take a bite and tell me what you think.”

I do. My tastebuds almost explode. The sauce is the perfect blend of sweet tomatoes and herbs, layered with tender noodles and a rich blend of cheeses. “This is delicious.”

Tawny’s smile is shy. “You really like it?”

“I always thought the lasagna from the Hungry Saloon was the best I’d ever had. You just blew it out of the water.”

My compliment brings tears to her eyes. She jumps from her chair with excuses to use the bathroom.

I glance at Gerdie. “What the hell just happened?”

Gerdie’s jaw is clench. “What I can get out of her is she’s been living like a slave. Forced to do all the cooking and housework with her mom. To keep her safe as she matured, her mom would make her stay locked in the attic if Millard or the boys were home. She was basically a servant and ridiculed for everything she did. Not sure anyone has ever told her she did something right.

“When her mom was murdered, it got worse. She’s damn lucky to have escaped. But she’s not safe. They’re trying to get a judge to return her to them. She’s got nothing, Gray. Nothing. You could very well be saving her life.”

“Surely all the suspicious stuff Millard has done should legally be used to keep him away from her.”

“Who’s gonna pay for a lawyer for her? Who’s gonna have her back when Millard tries to come for her? Who’s gonna stand up for her with our lily-livered new police chief who only jumps for the good ‘ol boys.”

“She’s been living in some kind of hell, Gray. She’s a good woman and deserves better.”

Gerdie lower’s her voice. “She’s not the only one that’s had problems with Millard, his boys, and the police chief this last year. Everyone’s afraid to stand up against the Stumps for fear of their retaliation. Or run up against his hand-picked police chief who’s just as vindictive. People don’t feel safe anymore.

“Hell, outside crime comes here to play because they know a little cash under the table and they’re good to do what they want. Overdoses and theft are up in our town like never before. Break-ins, vandalism are on the rise. There’s a rot spreading in the town, and I think Millard Stumps is behind a good part of it.”