The Renegade's Redemption Page 22

  Adrenaline and panic coursed through her veins as she dashed forward. “Look out, Tex,” she screamed.

  The gunman whirled in surprise and fired off the bullet meant for Tex. The bullet plowed into her shoulder, bringing fire and pain and black dots before her eyes. She crumbled to the ground in agony. Her last thoughts were full of hope that Tex would still get away unharmed.

  * * *

  “Ravena!” Tex shouted in terror, right before chaos erupted throughout the yard. The waiting horses reared as someone fired a second shot, but this one was aimed at Quincy’s feet. The rustler leapt backward, just as the sheriff and his posse appeared with their guns drawn.

  “Let him go,” Sheriff Clipton hollered, motioning at the man still gripping Tex’s arm. “You’re all under arrest.”

  The moment the man released him, Tex raced to where Ravena lay unmoving on the ground. Her eyes were closed, her face pale, and blood covered her shoulder. “Ravena?” He took her face gently between his hands. “Can you hear me?” He didn’t think Quincy’s man had fatally injured her, but she remained so frighteningly still.

  He slipped his arms beneath her and carefully lifted her off the ground. Above her limp head, he caught sight of the children rushing out of the house.

  “What happened?” Jacob asked, taking a step toward Tex.

  He was barely aware of the sheriff rounding up Quincy and his men and taking their weapons. “Miss Ravena was shot, but I think she’ll be all right.” At least he hoped so. He’d been wondering what was taking the posse so long to make an appearance when Ravena had suddenly rushed toward him. Only after Quincy’s man had turned and fired off his shot did Tex realize it had been meant for him.

  “Go get the doctor,” he directed to Jacob. “Ginny, get some water boiling. Mark and Edmund, find some bandages or towels.”

  “What about us, Mr. Beckett?” Ralphey asked.

  Tex carried Ravena onto the porch. “The rest of you start praying she’ll recover quickly.” He didn’t wait for the boy’s response or to see if the other children followed his orders. He kept moving into the house, up the stairs and down the hall to Ravena’s room. Coming to a stop beside the bed, he pulled back the blankets with one hand and gently set her down.

  After removing his bandanna from his pocket, he dragged the chair from the corner to the bed and sat by her side. “Ravena?” he said softly as he tied the bandanna tightly around her wound. She winced but didn’t wake. “Jacob’s gone for the doctor.”

  When he brushed her hair from her forehead, she finally stirred. “Tex?” she whispered.

  “I’m right here.” He rubbed her cheek with the back of his knuckles.

  “Am I dreaming? Did Quincy kill you?”

  He chuckled. “No, my love, you’re not dreaming. The sheriff arrested Quincy and his men.”

  With her eyes still shut, she frowned. “But... I didn’t see the sheriff.”

  “He and his posse were hiding nearby. The whole thing was a setup to apprehend Quincy.”

  Her face relaxed slightly before pinching with obvious pain. “Did I make that harder for them?”

  “On the contrary, I think you provided them with the diversion they needed.” He swallowed past the sudden lump of emotion in his throat. “And I believe you very well saved my life too.”

  “About time... I did something...adventurous.”

  He tried to laugh, but it came out strangled. This “adventure” could have ended in her death, and if that had happened... “How about we table the adventure for a while?”

  Her lips creased upward. “Where’s the fun in that?” It was so like something he would have said as a headstrong youth.

  “This isn’t funny, Ravena.” Why couldn’t she understand the horror that had filled him as he’d watched her crumble to the ground?

  “Tex,” she murmured, opening her eyes and waving him forward with the index finger of her free hand.

  He bent closer, ready to give her anything she desired. “What is it?”

  “I am not going to die.”

  “I know—”

  She pressed her finger to his lips. “So please go help the children. They’re likely frightened to death.”

  “What about me?” he said, half teasing.

  Another small smile appeared on her lips as she lowered her uninjured arm back to the bed. “Are you that frightened?”

  “I was,” he answered honestly.

  “I’ll be fine, promise.” She winced in pain again. “Now, go.”

  He stood, then leaned down to place a kiss on her mouth. “I’ll go, but I’m coming back.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  * * *

  Hours later—after the doctor had extracted the bullet from her arm and bandaged the wound; after Tex had fed the children supper and allowed each of them to peek into the room to see that she was fine—Ravena felt she could finally catalog the events of the day. And all the emotions that came with them. The sadness, the suspicion, the terror. She shivered as the memories marched through her mind.

  What had started out as a glum holiday had quickly turned into a terrifying, and then painful, ordeal. Her arm still hurt fiercely, but she was alive. And so was Tex.

  As if he’d known she’d been thinking of him, he pushed opened the door and stepped inside. “I’ve made some tea, per your instructions.” He moved toward the bed, a cup in his hand.

  “Thank you.” She tried sitting up, but the movement aggravated her arm.

  “Let me.” Tex set the teacup on the nearby table and lifted her higher onto her pillow. Then he took a seat in the chair that was still drawn up to the bed. “Here you go.” He lifted the cup to her mouth.

  “Smells good,” she murmured. She took a swallow and grimaced in disgust. “It tastes horrid.”

  Tex’s deep laugh rolled over her as he lowered the cup. “I told you that, my first night here.”

  Ravena frowned at him. “Did you follow the instructions exactly?”

  “Exactly,” he said, his blue eyes alight with amusement. “Want any more?”

  Making a face at him, which only increased his chuckling, she nodded and allowed him to help her drink more of the tea. She no longer faulted him or Mark for their protests.

  “Are the children in bed?” she asked after he set the empty cup aside.

  He nodded. “And all asleep too. They were exhausted.”

  “It’s been a long day. I hope they’ll be all right.”

  Taking her free hand in his, Tex rubbed the back of her palm with his thumb. “I think they will be. We talked through the experience at supper, and again before bed with the younger ones. We can pray for them too.”

  “We can pray?” She arched an eyebrow at him, though inside she was smiling. “Since when did you become a praying man?”

  “Since falling in love with this beautiful, faith-filled, forgiving woman. Who, I should add, saw what I stubbornly couldn’t see until just recently.”

  A blush crept into her cheeks that had nothing to do with the warm tea or her pile of blankets. “So what happens now?” The question stole some of the tenderness from the moment, but she needed to know. The thought of telling Tex goodbye all over again so that he could go to jail made her heart hurt, and yet, she understood why he needed to go back.

  “Well...” Tex glanced down at her hand, the light in his gaze dimming a little. “The sheriff should be returning for me anytime now.”

  Ravena shut her eyes as a fresh wave of exhaustion washed over her. “Will he send you to prison?”

  “I don’t know,” Tex admitted. “He hasn’t said yet what he plans to do with me.”

  “I hate the uncertainty.”

  She felt his lips brush the skin of her hand. “Me too.”

  Ope
ning her eyes, she leveled him with a firm look. “I meant what I said the other day, Tex. I’ll wait for you as long as necessary.”

  “The pastor won’t like that,” he said, his tone a mixture of sobriety and teasing.

  She ignored the pain in her arm as she leaned closer to him. “He’ll get over it.”

  A slow grin lifted his mouth and he narrowed the distance between them to a few inches. Just as she was anticipating his kiss, she heard someone knock on the front door downstairs.

  Tex sat back and she did the same. “That’ll be the sheriff, most likely.” He squeezed her hand, then released her as he stood. “I’ll get the door.”

  She watched him leave, feeling a part of her go with him. Would it always be this way until they were reunited for good? The murmur of Tex’s voice followed by another male’s floated up the stairs. After a minute, Tex appeared in the doorway to her bedroom, the sheriff behind him.

  “Sheriff Clipton wants to speak with you,” Tex offered by way of explanation. “If that’s all right.”

  “Yes.” Ravena waved them both inside the room. “Come in.”

  Removing his hat to reveal light blond hair, the sheriff approached the bed and stood at the foot. “How are you feeling, ma’am?”

  Ravena worked up a smile at his thoughtfulness. “I’m going to be all right.” And she would. The cloud of despair she’d felt for months was no longer shrouding her. She’d been able to fulfill her grandfather’s wishes and her own with the new house and the new group of orphans. There was no doubt in her mind that the Lord was aware of her, protecting her. She threw a tender glance at Tex—the Lord’s ways of watching over His children didn’t always come in expected ways, and for that she was grateful.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Reid, that you ended up taking that bullet.” The man’s expression conveyed his compassion as much as his words did. “But your bravery gave us the diversion we needed to nab those cattle rustlers. So thank you.”

  She nodded in response, then looked to Tex still standing near the door. “I suppose it’s time for you to go?” She hoped the sheriff would allow them a few moments of privacy to say goodbye.

  Sheriff Clipton clapped his hat back on, but he didn’t make a move to leave. “I’ve been thinking on that matter.”

  “Would you like to discuss it downstairs?” Tex asked.

  Instead of agreeing, the sheriff smiled and shook his head. “I have a feeling that what I have to say will affect Miss Reid too.”

  Tex exchanged a perplexed look with her as he partially closed the door and stepped fully into the room. “What exactly have you been thinking?”

  The man waved at the chair. “Mind if I have a seat?”

  “Go ahead,” Ravena answered, unsure whether she ought to feel trepidation or relief that he wasn’t marching Tex away posthaste.

  Angling the chair to see them both, the sheriff sat. Tex took a seat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve been thinking,” Sheriff Clipton repeated as he glanced at Tex. “First you turn yourself in, without any compulsion. Second, you help us round up a cattle rustling gang, who according to the authorities I wired in Casper, have been a real plague to the area for a while now.”

  Ravena glanced at Tex and tried to temper her hopes. Where was the sheriff going with this?

  “You’ve already handed over the money in your saddlebags as well,” the man continued. “And you agreed to share the locations of where you’ve stashed the rest of the money you stole.”

  Tex dipped his head in a solemn nod, his gaze riveted on the sheriff.

  The man rubbed at his chin, appearing thoughtful. “If the law in Boise sends a few men down Texas way to recover that money, do you think you could be of assistance in getting it back to as many of the banks and companies as possible to whom it rightfully belongs?”

  Visibly swallowing, Tex cleared his throat. The surprise on his face surely matched that on Ravena’s. “I can do that.”

  Hope was getting harder and harder for her to contain. “Would he still go to prison?” she forced herself to ask.

  The sheriff turned toward her. “Well, as I see it, ma’am, if Mr. Beckett is willing to pay back what he can, and he agrees to assist us in the future in rounding up other outlaws or cattle rustlers...” He let the words hang there as he eyed Tex again.

  Tex’s brow furrowed. “You mean, you wouldn’t publicize that you’d apprehended the Texas Titan?”

  “I think more good could come from having him show up periodically, don’t you?” The first glimpse of a smile appeared on the sheriff’s mouth. “And one other thing.” He pulled a paper from inside his jacket. Ravena saw that it was Quincy’s map. “Deputy Jenkins found this on the ground after the scuffle and gave it to me. Seeing as you won it, instead of stealing it, I’m probably obligated to give it back to you.”

  “Probably obligated?” Tex echoed with a chuckle.

  The sheriff studied the map for a moment. “I think we’ll call it found at the scene of the crime. And while our boys are rounding up your stolen goods, they can look for this too.” He waved the paper in the air, then pocketed it again. “I know a few charitable organizations that would greatly benefit from some anonymous donations.”

  Clapping his hands against his legs, Sheriff Clipton rose to his feet. “I hope you’re recovered real soon, Miss Reid.” He took a step toward the door.

  “Th-thank you?” Ravena’s mind was reeling from all that the man had said. And yet, she wanted to be certain she wasn’t misguided in thinking Tex would no longer be leaving. “Sheriff, are you saying Tex is a free man?” The possibility beat as fast and as hard as her heart in that moment.

  A full grin lifted the man’s boyish face as he turned toward her. “That’s what I’m saying, Miss Reid. Seems only fitting too, given today’s the day we celebrate the freedom of our great nation.” Before she could react, he faced Tex, his expression suddenly serious. “All that’s contingent, though, on your willingness to accept the terms I’ve outlined, Mr. Beckett.”

  Tex stood, unmistakable shock and relief in his demeanor. “Yes, sir. Every one of them.”

  “Then I’ll bid, you two, good night.” Chuckling to himself, he exited the room, drawing the door partway shut behind him.

  Ravena couldn’t help a startled laugh of her own. “Do you think he’ll change his mind?”

  “I hope not.” Scrubbing his hands over his face, Tex shook his head. “I really think he meant it.” He spun to face Ravena. “Which means I’m a free man.” The peace on his handsome face brought happy tears to her eyes.

  She reached out her hand toward him, wanting to reassure herself that he wasn’t leaving. Not now, not ever. “What’s the first thing you’ll do as a free man, Tex?”

  Pulling the chair near the bed again, he sat and linked his fingers with hers. “I’m going to ask you to marry me.”

  A half laugh, half sob escaped her lips. “You don’t want to wait?”

  “No.” His blue eyes were remarkably serious. “Do you?”

  She shook her head, right before he pressed a fervent kiss to her lips. “The moment I’m able to move about and get to town to find a wedding dress, I’ll marry you.”

  “Now hold up. I haven’t asked you proper yet.”

  Ravena smiled, hardly daring to believe a day that had begun so miserably could end so wonderfully. “Go ahead.”

  After a long perusal of her face, Tex placed his other hand alongside her cheek. Ravena leaned into his touch. “Ravena Olive Reid, I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I wanted to marry you eight years ago, but I needed time to become the man you saw in me back then.” Ravena smiled lovingly at him, joy easing the pain in her arm. “So will you marry me? Proper-like this time. No eloping. I want it in the church, with a pastor, and everything.” He leaned forward to press his forehead to her
s as he added, “And our good pastor is most definitely not going to like that.”

  She laughed at his joke, then sobered as she regarded him. She’d thought her love for him would never be as deep as it had been eight years ago, but she’d been mistaken. What she felt for him now eclipsed anything she’d once felt. “I love you, Tex Beckett. And nothing would make me happier than marrying you.”

  His broad smile increased the tripping of her pulse. “Then we’d better get you well real soon,” he murmured right before kissing her again.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  Tex shifted little Olive in his arms and glanced down the pew, past all nine orphans, to where his wife, Ravena, sat, listening earnestly to the pastor’s sermon. The good man had married six months earlier—to Tex’s delight. He’d felt a prick of sadness at the pastor’s hound-dog expression when he’d presided at Tex and Ravena’s wedding last year.

  As if sensing his staring, Ravena turned her head and smiled at him. He couldn’t recall ever seeing her look so radiant. Perhaps it was the glow of new motherhood, but he suspected it was more than that. There was peace in her, just as there was inside himself, and it was a glorious thing to behold.

  He leaned toward Ginny seated next to him and whispered, “Tell Mama Ravena that she’s beautiful.” The girl smiled, then passed the message on to Ralphey, and so on down the line, until Fanny shared it with Ravena.

  Her gaze jumped to his and she tried to frown, though he could see she was really fighting a smile. Bending toward Fanny’s ear, she whispered something. The message ran the line of children until Ginny murmured in his ear, “Don’t talk in church. And Daddy Tex looks handsome.”

  He coughed to hide his laughter as he glanced at Ravena. “I love you,” she mouthed before focusing on the pastor again.

  Pressing a kiss to his daughter’s dark hairline, he did his best to concentrate on the man’s words as well. But something deep inside him kept nudging at him that there was a change in the air. He’d quickly come to appreciate and respect the inklings about the land and the weather that came to him as a farmer now. Looking at his family, he hoped whatever the change, it was good. All of the children were thriving and so was the farm. His side business of making furniture had taken off in the past year too.