"Go ahead, angel, " Donald urged. "You can tell him."
"Cole, " she cried out.
He was dying inside. Dear God, please don't let him hurt her . . .
don't let him . . .
"Abilene." He knew what she was asking him to do. He had her
permission, he had his target, his gun was cocked, but God help him, he
couldn't do it.
Daniel took the shot for him.
"No." Cole roared the denial. In his mind's eye, everything happened
in slow motion. He saw Jessica's eyes flutter closed, saw her body
drift downward to the floor. His mind wouldn't accept any more. He
emptied his gun into the bastard, spraying him up against the wall.
Cole didn't stop. He kept pulling the trigger again and again and
again, the only sound now the clicking as the empty chambers rotated,
until Daniel grabbed the gun out of his hand.
"I didn't shoot her, " Daniel shouted in hopes that his words would cut
through Cole's stupor. "She's all right. She just fainted. Get her
off the floor." Cole rushed to her side and fell to his knees. His
hand shook as he pressed his finger against the pulse point at the base
of her throat. He felt the heartbeat, strong and rapid, and felt the
tears sting his eyes.
He gently lifted her into his arms and stood, cradling her against his
chest.
Jessica heard someone sobbing. She opened her eyes and saw Grace
running toward Daniel.
There was a deputy standing in the doorway of the judge's chambers,
watching Rebecca. The woman had her bloody hand pressed against her
bosom. Her other hand was braced against the wall and she was slowly
struggling to her feet when Grace ran past her.
"I'm all right, Grace, " Daniel called out as soon as he saw her
tears.
He fully expected her to throw herself into his arms, but Grace
suddenly stopped. A funny look crossed her face before she turned
around and ran back to Rebecca.
Daniel didn't have time to stop her. Grace made a fist, swung, and
coldcocked her. Rebecca crumpled to the floor.
Grace stepped back and looked at her. "It hurts, doesn't it? " Daniel
was so shocked he laughed. He stopped when Grace was in his arms,
kissing him.
"I love you, Daniel. I love you, " she fervently whispered as she
kissed his brow, his nose, his chin.
He tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes, and then he
whispered his declaration of love. "Don't marry Nigel."
"Because you love me, Daniel? " "I was getting to that, Grace . . .
because I love you." gvery one had gathered in the judge's chambers to
watch the doctor work on Daniel's shoulder. He was sprawled out on the
leather settee. Grace leaned against his side, holding his hand.
Cole sat nearby in an overstuffed wing chair with Jessica on his lap.
She had tried to sit next to him, but Cole wouldn't let her move.