For personal use and select distribution only © April 2000 by Amber Miller
Dreams Do Come True
Chapter Nine
Ben rode into town to get some supplied, and thought he would stop at the boardinghouse to see if Kat wanted to have lunch with him.
"Good mornin', Mr. Bray," he greeted upon entering the mercantile.
"Mornin' to you, too, there Ben, and how many time do I hafta tell ya to call me Loren," the old man reminded.
"You're right, of course. My apologies, Loren," Ben corrected and smiled.
Loren smiled in return, not able to be mad at the young man who was so likeable. "So, whatcha need today?" he asked, offering to help.
"Oh, I just need some basic supplies," Ben replied. "Some jerky, a few cans of beans, some vegetables, and some soap."
"Comin' right up!"
Placing his purchases in his saddlebags, Ben tethered his horse and walked over to the boardinghouse. Removing his hat upon entering, he walked to the little window to the right. "Good mornin', Mrs. Hannible, is Miss Dawson upstairs?" he greeted.
"Good mornin', Mr. Holbrook," she returned. "No, Miss Dawson never came home last night, and I went to bed late, waiting for her. I have to lock my doors, you know," she offered as an apology.
"Of course, Mrs. Hannible, we wouldn't want someone to barge in here in the middle of the night," he agreed and smiled at the elderly woman. He learned she had been running the boardinghouse ever since her husband died. Her two children were grown and married with families of their own, and she felt the need to do something. With the absence of the other boarding house having been turned into Dr. Mike's Clinic, she started this one.
"Um, you might try the Gold Nugget. If memory serves me right, I believe I remember her saying that she was having supper with her cousin last night," Mrs. Hannible offered.
Ben smiled. "Yes, more than likely she and Miss Anabel got to talkin' and lost track of time. She probably didn't want Miss Dawson going home that late and invited her to stay there. Thank you, Mrs. Hannible. Have a very nice day," he said in departure.
"You, too, dear," she replied.
Ben wrapped his coat more snugly around himself, closed the door firmly behind him and headed towards the Gold Nugget.
"No, Ben, Kat's not here. She left last night, not too long after supper," Anabel informed him a moment later. "Are you sure she's not at the boardinghouse?" she asked, worriedly.
"No, I was just there, and Mrs. Hannible told me Kat never came in last night," Ben passed on the information to her. He knew Kat wouldn't just go off wandering that late at night without telling someone or having someone with her. She couldn't have gone to see Dr. Mike, since he knew she had left early the day before. Something must be wrong!
"Anabel, something happened to her, I know it!" he stated. "I'm going to go find her!"
"But, how will you know where to look?" she cautioned. "Don't you think you should get a search party going?"
"Search party? For who?" Hank came in from the main room. "Who's missin'?" he asked and came to stand behind his wife, leaning down to place a kiss on her neck.
"Katherine never made it back to the boardinghouse last night, Hank," Anabel explained.
"What?!" he thundered. "What do you mean, she never made it back?"
"I just came from there, and Mrs. Hannible waited up late for her to return but never saw her."
"Damn!" he shouted. "I knew I should've walked her home last night! I had a bad feelin' about her leavin' here so late," he admitted.
"It's not your fault, Hank," Anabel assured him and turned to Ben. "Do you have any idea where she might have gone, or what might have happened?"
Ben thought for a minute. "Arthur!" he replied.
"Arthur?" Anabel questioned, surprised. "What does Arthur have to do with this?"
"He's the only reason she could have disappeared!" Ben replied. "He must have somehow found out where she was and come after her! That's the only explanation! I'm sure of it!"
"Arthur?" Hank asked. "Ain't that her husband, or ex-husband, or whatever you wanna call ‘im?"
"Yes. She signed divorce papers and had them sent to him by way of Denver, but he must have gotten them and come looking for her." Ben paused and slammed his fist into his hand. "I knew I should have kept a closer watch on her!"
"Now, it's not either of your faults that Kat was kidnapped, if we're even sure that's what's happened to her," Anabel quieted them both.
"Wait a minute. Arthur. What's this fella look like?" Hank asked.
"He's about an inch or so shorter than me, dark hair, dark eyes, mustache, and a scar above...."
"....his left eyebrow," Hank finished for him.
"Yeah, how did ya know that?" Ben asked.
"Damn! I knew it! I knew that fella was up to no good," Hank exclaimed.
"Hank, what are you talking about? What fella?" Anabel wondered.
"‘Bout two weeks ago, this fella came into the Gold Nugget, askin' for a room. I knew he was trouble the minute I laid eyes on ‘im. This has gotta be the same one! I'd never forget that scar."
"Did he say what he was here for?" Anabel continued to question.
"Nah, just kept to hisself most a the time. Fact is, I ain't never seen him come out durin' the day. He was always playin' cards at night, though, probably cheatin' some a my customers outta their hard-earned money!" he slammed his fist into his hand.
"Ben, if you wanna get a search party goin', I'll be glad to join ya!"
"Thanks, Hank. That's just what I'm gonna do," Ben agreed.
"Our best bet'd be ta git Sully! He knows these parts better'n anyone I know," Hank told him.
"That's a good idea. What about Robert E, and Matthew, and the Sheriff?"
"Yeah, we better get them, too. No tellin' what this fella's got up his sleeve, or what he's done to Katherine," Hank agreed.
"Be careful," Anabel cautioned.
"We will," Hank assured her, and kissed her softly, smiling. It sure was nice havin' someone worry about him when he went out on search parties like this.
"Sully ain't here, Matthew," Brian told his brother about a half an hour later. The search party was waiting in the front yard. "He got real worried about Ma when she was late comin' home today. She left early this mornin' ta visit a patient, and said she'd be back long before noon," he informed them. "What's goin' on?"
"Miss Dawson didn't come home last night, and we think she's been kidnapped," Matthew told him.
"No! Not Miss Dawson!" Brian exclaimed. "Who would do such a thing?"
"We think it was her husband."
"Miss Dawson's married?" Brian asked. "I thought she and Mr. Holbrook....."
"It's a long story, little brother. I'll tell you later. Right now, we gotta find Miss Dawson. Did Sully take Wolf with him?"
"No, he's inside here, playing with Sarah and Katie and Marjorie."
"Sarah's here?"
Brian shook his head. "Don't worry, Matthew, we ain't doin' nothin' we ain't supposed to be doin'," he assured his older brother.
Matthew reached out and ruffled Brian's hair. "I know ya ain't. At least ya have some company ta help ya with them two sisters of ours!" Matthew laughed and Brian joined in. "Now, send Wolf out here. I have a feelin' we're gonna need ‘im."
"Alright, we gotta split up, here," Sheriff Simon announced. "We ain't gettin' nowhere this way."
"You're right, Daniel," Matthew agreed. "Now, Ben, you and Hank come with me. Sheriff? You and Robert E take Wolf and see what you can find. We'll meet back here by nightfall, if we haven't found anythin'," he directed, and the party went their separate ways.
Sully slowed his horse to a walk, listening closely to the sounds of the woods. Why didn't he bring Wolf with him? Suddenly, his horse whinnied and was answered by another horse a short distance away. Sully let his horse lead the way, and soon they were near a rock wall. Flash stood there, whinnying and nudging a motionless Michaela.
"Michaela!?" Sully exclaimed when he saw the still form of his wife. He jumped down from the horse, grabbed his canteen and ran over to her, checking for her pulse and sighing with relief when he felt its strong beat. "He smoothed back her hair from her face and felt a small bump on the back of her head. What happened to her? Did Flash spook and throw her? He didn't see any rocks around where she could have hit her head.
"Michaela," he called again, this time imploringly. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. She shifted slightly and moaned, struggling to open her eyes. "Michaela!" Sully cried, happy that she was awakening.
"Sully?" she whispered through parched lips.
Cradling her head, Sully held his canteen to her lips, encouraging her to drink some water. "Michaela?" he called and saw her open her eyes.
"Sully? I'm so glad it's you," she sighed.
"Who else would it be?" he asked. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a knot on the back of my head that feels like dynamite exploded behind me," she replied with a grin.
Sully smiled, assured by her sense of humor that she was fine. "Michaela, why were ya relieved ta see me? Did ya run into someone else out here?"
Michaela shook her head and tried to clear her foggy mind. "Yes, I remember coming home from the Peterson's and running into Katherine," she began.
"Miss Dawson? What was she doing all the way out here?"
"She wasn't alone, Sully. Another man had her on bound to his horse, and she looked scared to death. I don't know who he was, but I didn't have time to think before he brought the butt of his pistol down on my head. The next thing I know, you're here, calling my name," she finished.
"Do you know what this fella looked like? Do you remember anything?"
"Dark hair, dark eyes, and a mustache. Oh, and he had an ugly scar above his left eye."
"Don't sound like anyone I seen around town. Wonder who he could be?"
"Oh, Sully, you don't think it was Arthur, do you?" Michaela asked, full of fear for the young woman.
"Her ex-husband? I don't know. I guess it's possible," he thought.
Michaela began to rise. "Sully, we have to help her! We have to go tell someone!" she exclaimed, but then fell back against him.
"We ain't goin' nowhere, Michaela, not until you rest a bit," he told her. "You ain't in any condition to be ridin' after some kidnapper. ‘Sides, if she was kidnapped, then I'm sure someone in town knows by now, most likely Ben found out this mornin'," he assured her. "He more than likely got a search party goin' already, knowin' how he feels about her," he smiled, a bit wanly, considering the circumstances.
"Sully, do you think she'll be alright?"
"I'm sure she'll be fine, Michaela. Now, you just close your eyes and rest. As soon as you've slept a little, we'll ride out and see what we can do to help," he promised.
Michaela stifled a yawn, leaning back into her husband's arms. "Alright, Sully," she said, sleepily, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
"Sully?"
"Hmh!" he replied.
"I think someone's coming," she announced.
Sully immediately sat up straighter and placed his hand on his tomahawk. He slowly and quietly stood to his feet, all senses alert. The horses whinnied, and a bark was heard before Wolf came running around the side of the rock wall.
"Wolf!" Sully called. "Where'd you come from, boy?" he scratched his pet behind his ears.
"Sully!" Robert E and Daniel exclaimed, simultaneously.
"Robert E? Daniel?" Michaela questioned, surprised. "What are you two doing out here with Wolf?"
"We're searchin' for Miss Dawson," Robert E replied. "She was kidnapped last night, and we have good reason to believe it was her ex-husband. Hank, Matthew and Ben are out here, too."
"Any signs at all?" Sully asked.
"Well, Wolf picked up a little somethin' a ways back, but it turned out ta be you!" Daniel replied with a smile.
Sully smiled, too. "Yeah, he has a way of findin' me when he's not with me," Sully agreed and scratched the wolf's ears again. He stood straight up, looking around. "Well, I guess we best get goin' and help the search. Do ya got anythin' of Miss Dawson's that Wolf could smell?"
"Yeah, Ben gave us this glove she left at his place a while back," Robert E handed it to Sully.
"Are ya ready ta go, Michaela?" Sully asked.
"Yes," she replied and mounted Flash.
Sully held the glove under Wolf's nose, and the dog immediately picked up the scent. They all followed right behind him.
"Hey, Ben, come here and look at this," Matthew called.
Ben came over and saw the piece of cloth a branch had snagged.
"Looks just like the dress Katherine was wearin' last night," Hank intoned. "I'd recognize that fabric anywhere."
"We must be on the right track, then," Matthew added. "This sure would be a lot easier if we had Wolf with us, but I'm sure he's helpin' Robert E and Daniel."
"Yes, this is definitely Kat's. It's one of her favorite dresses," Ben agreed. "God, if he's laid one finger on her, I'll...."
"Easy, Ben," Matthew calmed him. "No use gettin' worked up yet. I'm sure we'll find her. It's just a matter of bein' patient and lookin' for the clues."
"Yeah, an' don't worry. You ain't the only one achin' ta get a piece of this fella," Hank added. "Any man who has to resort to kidnappin' ain't a man at all!"
"Both of you, calm down, will you? We need to stay level-headed," Matthew tried to be the voice of reason. He, too, was angry with this guy for kidnapping Miss Dawson, but he wasn't about to go charging in with fists flying.
"Alright, let's keep movin'," Ben said. "Standin' here isn't doing us any good."
A couple of miles further, they heard voices.
"Shhh," Matthew cautioned and led the three of them closer to the source of the sound. Ben started when he recognized Arthur's voice, but Hank held him back. "It ain't gonna do ya no good to rush in there. We gotta have a plan."
"Hank's right. We go chargin' in there and we're likely to cause more harm to Miss Dawson than what might already have happened."
Arthur's next words turned Ben's stomach and caused the three of them to react with disgust.
"We're still married, remember? There's nothing you can do to stop me."
"I'm gonna kill him!" Ben threatened.
"Wait, now, we gotta take him by surprise," Hank directed, then began assigning each of them a job. Within minutes they were enacting their plan of attack.
"Arthur! You lay one more hand on her, and I'll tear you apart!" Ben announced from near the entrance to the cave. "You do anything to harm her and you'll have to answer to me, first!"
"Ben!" Kat exclaimed, joyously.
"Holbrook!" Arthur muttered between clenched teeth.
Chapter Ten
Hank and Matthew stood on either side of the cave entrance, listening closely to the actions and words exchanged inside. They were ready in a moment's notice to get Katherine out of there the minute Ben engaged him elsewhere. If Arthur tried to use Katherine to get out of the cave, they were ready to catch him by surprise from both sides.
"Just leave us be, Holbrook," Arthur commanded. "We're still married, and there's nothin' you can do."
"I don't care what you are, it's clear Kat ain't happy to see you, and I'll kill you before letting you lay one more hand on her. Kat's filed for a divorce from you, and I know you've received those papers, or you wouldn't be here."
"Papers I never signed," Arthur finished. "So, we're still married."
"We'll see about that," Ben threatened.
Arthur grabbed Kat's face and kissed her, again, hard, then jumped up fast and lunged at Ben, but Ben was ready and blocked the attack. However, a fight began with each taking swings at the other. Arthur got a solid blow to Ben's left face, knocking him off balance enough to pin him to the ground. Ben was agile; however, and kicked Arthur off, jumping up to ward off the next attack.
This time, Ben struck Arthur solidly in the jaw and managed to pin his arm behind his back. A swift jab to the abdomen and Arthur was free again. Arthur tried to kick Ben while he recovered his breathing, but Ben was too quick for him, deflecting the kick with one of his own. Arthur reached down and pulled a knife from his boot, flashing it at Ben. Kat gasped when she saw the blade and bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming out and distracting Ben.
Ben dodged the blade, all the while looking for some way to get the knife away from Arthur. He ducked low and made a sweep with his leg, knocking Arthur to the ground, the knife landing on the floor of the cave. Quickly, while Arthur recovered, Ben grabbed the knife, moving fast and keeping Arthur from standing. He kicked Arthur in the stomach, knocked his legs out from under him and pinned him to the ground, the knife at Arthur's throat.
"I warned you, Randall," Ben threatened, pressing the knife point into his skin, drawing a tiny amount of blood.
"Go ahead, Holbrook. Kill me! What are you waiting for?"
"Ben, nooo!" Kat screamed.
"Go on! Do it! What will your precious Kat think of you then?" Arthur challenged.
Ben risked a quick glance over at Kat, and his eyes softened.
"Ben," Kat whispered, a pleading look in her eyes.
"Hank! Matthew!" he called. "Come and get her!" He turned his attention back to Arthur, making sure to keep the pressure of the knife at his throat.
Immediately, Hank and Matthew entered the main part of the cave and walked over to Kat. Hank tenderly pulled her blouse closed and helped her stand. Matthew grabbed a few blankets and handed them to Hank, who wrapped them around Kat and led her from the cave. Matthew grabbed some rope and helped Ben tie Arthur's hands behind his back, propelling him from the cave as well.
Within minutes, they were met by the rest of the search party, Wolf leading the way.
"Sully! Glad to see ya. What happened?" Matthew asked.
"It's a long story," Michaela replied, looking over at Katherine to ensure she was safe.
"Everyone alright?" Robert E asked?
"Yes, everyone's fine," Ben replied. "A little bruised and battered, but otherwise, alright," he chuckled.
Kat looked over at Ben and immediately ran towards him. He opened his arms and wrapped her in a loving embrace, stroking her hair. Hank trained his gun on Arthur, making sure he stayed put.
"I knew you would come," she muttered into his chest. "I prayed that you'd find me, and I knew you would come. You promised you would," she sobbed, her tears soaking the front of his shirt where his coat was open.
"Shhhh," he comforted her. "I'm here, now. You're safe," he crooned and kissed her forehead.
"Oh, give me a break!" Arthur muttered. "Can we stop the lovey-dovey talk, please?"
"Arthur?" Sheriff Simon asked and walked over to him. "You're under arrest."
"What are the charges?"
"Inflictin' physical harm on your wife and disturbin' the peace," Daniel answered.
"Wife?!" Arthur spat. "She's not my wife!" He brought his hands up to the inside of his coat and drew out a group of papers, throwing them down on the ground and looking over at Kat, who had looked up at his outburst. "There! You wanted a divorce from me? You got it! Those papers are signed and done with! Now, you can go and marry your precious Ben. But, you won't be sending me off to jail. Ain't no law against what I done."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Daniel countered."
Kat looked long and hard at Arthur and saw past the anger in his eyes to the pain he was trying to hide. She thought of all that he had said back in the cave when they were alone, of all that had happened between them. "He really didn't mean to do all of those things to me," she thought. "It was just his anger and jealousy thinking for him."
Matthew retrieved the papers and Daniel began to handcuff Arthur.
"Wait," Kat called, and everyone stopped. "What's going to happen to him?"
"Well, he'll stand trial for what he's done and most likely go to jail for a few months," Daniel replied.
"Where?"
"Denver, probably."
"Is there no other options?"
"I ain't sure I follow you, ma'am," Daniel replied, confused.
"I mean, is there nowhere else he can go? Couldn't you make sure he has an escort back to Rockridge, Missouri? He's got a business to run, and family back there. Maybe he could go there?"
Ben pulled away from her at her words. "Kat? Are you sure you don't want him in jail for what he's done to you?"
"I'm not saying that. A little time in jail would do him good. But, I don't want the chance of him coming after me again. He was angry, and jealous, and he made the mistake of letting that control his actions," she explained. "I know that I never want to see him again! If he has an escort back to Rockridge, I'll feel safer!"
"I don't understand you!" Ben raised his voice in exasperation. "You want to put him in and around folks linked to his normal life after what he's done to you!?"
"Ben, you don't understand. Arthur may have hurt me, but he doesn't deserve to spend the rest of his life paying for it. He was hurt by my love for you. I'm not excusing him for what he did. I'm just saying that he should be forced to go back to Missouri and face the people he knows there, never to come around me again."
"Ma'am, am I to understand that you're askin' for this man ta be escorted back to Rockridge, Missouri to serve his sentence?" Daniel questioned.
"I want to make sure he never comes around me again. Is there anything you can do?" she wondered.
"To be truthful, ma'am, I ain't sure, but I'll look into it," Daniel replied.
"Will you all stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Arthur demanded. "Put me in jail, fine me, make me do service to the state. I don't care, just get me out of here!" If he never saw Katherine or Holbrook again, it would be too soon!
"As you wish," Daniel agreed, tying the end of the rope, that bound Arthur's hands, to the saddlehorn of his horse, mounting and heading back for town. Robert E, Matthew and Hank joined him.
Michaela immediately became the doctor, grabbing her medical bag and running over to Ben and Katherine to assess their wounds.
"I'm alright," Ben assured her. "Take care of Kat," he directed and released his hold on her.
Michaela gave him a wet bandage for his bleeding lip and turned her attention to Katherine. Performing a quick assessment, she realized that outside of a few bruises, which would heal, Katherine was unharmed.
They gathered the leftover supplies from the cave and prepared to go home. Ben helped Kat into the saddle and mounted behind her, wrapping another blanket around her and taking up the reins to follow Sully and Dr. Mike back to town. Kat leaned back against Ben, thankful for his rescue and warmed by his love. She closed her eyes to enjoy the ride home, glad that Arthur would not be near her while being punished for what he did, and thankful her ordeal with him was over. Breathing a sigh of relief, she sent a prayer heavenward, thanking God for watching out for her and Ben.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're safe!" Carolyn and Anabel exclaimed immediately upon seeing Kat return with Ben and the rest of the search party. Ben helped her down, and she was quickly enveloped in a warm hug by her best friend and her cousin.
"Mama! Papa!" Michaela and Sully turned to see Katie running towards them, Brian and Sarah not far behind with Marjorie.
"Kates!" Sully called and swung the girl into his arms, eliciting a laugh as always.
"Marjorie!" Michaela exclaimed and took the babbling baby from Brian.
"Glad you're back, Pa, Ma!" Brian told them.
"We're glad to be back, Brian," Michaela answered.
"Glad you're safe, Miss Katherine," he told his teacher.
"We all are," Grace added.
"It is good to have you back, Miss Dawson," Teresa Slicker said.
Everyone had gathered outside the mercantile immediately after the search party had arrived back in town. Wives welcomed their husbands back, and the rest of the townsfolk smiled when they saw everyone. Daniel had taken Arthur to the jail, where he would stay until he could be escorted back to Missouri. Kat felt tears come to her eyes, overwhelmed at the welcome. Some spilled down her cheeks and others clouded her vision. She had never felt more at home than she did right then.
"It's good to be back, and thank you, everyone, for all you've done!" she said, sincerely, smiling at everyone. "I don't know what I would have done without your help and love and support. You have truly made me feel at home and given me a new reason to be joyous this Christmas season! It hasn't been easy being away from my family and friends back in Missouri, but I feel so accepted here, among all of you, and I know I've found new friends, and a new family."
Everyone came up to offer their well-wishes or to give her a hug, but one face held her eyes through it all.....Ben. Not long after they arrived, everyone departed to return to their homes and planning for Christmas. Matthew and Carolyn and Hank and Anabel were among the last to leave. Mike and Sully clasped each other's hands, holding their daughter's in their opposite arms. Brian and Sarah followed along with them, and they agreed to drop off Sarah at her place on their way home.
The streets cleared, and everyone departed, Ben walked over and gathered Kat into his arms, stroking her hair and kissing her forehead. He led her towards the boardinghouse, entering and sitting with her on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Kat laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Neither paid any attention to how long they sat in comfortable silence.
"Ben..." "Kat..." they spoke at the same time and laughed.
"You first," he encouraged.
"Ben, I really am glad you found me. You don't know how scared I was of Arthur or what he would do in his fit of anger. I had never seen him like that before, and I was reliving my years with him all over again," she sobbed. "If it hadn't been for you and the rest of the townsfolk, I don't know where I'd be."
"Shhh, it's alright. You're safe, now, and he'll never harm you again," he promised. "He'll go back to Rockridge, and you'll stay here with me, and I'll never let anything happen to you as long as I live," he vowed. "I swore to you about ten years ago that I would always protect you, no matter what happened." He paused to lift her chin to look into her eyes, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "I also remember making another promise to you before I left for the War," he reminded her. "I promised to love you for the rest of my life, and I asked you to wait for me."
"I remember," she whispered.
"Do you still stand by the promise you made me that day I left?" he asked.
"Yes," she breathed. "I never stopped loving you, even when I thought you were dead. You will always hold a special place in my heart, and I thank God for bringing us together, through everything that's happened. My love for you has never faded, even though I tried to push you out of my mind and give up hope of you ever returning," she confessed.
"And my love for you will last until the day I breathe my last on this earth!" he pledged. "My heart always has been and always will be yours and yours alone," he finished and leaned down to place a soft kiss of promise on her lips. She placed her head on his shoulder and he cradled her body against his, resting his cheek on top of her head, both peacefully watching the flames dance in the fireplace and listening to the crackling of the sparks. They both thanked God for watching over them and bringing them together again.
"So, do ya think they got a chance together, now?" Sully asked his wife as he brushed her hair that night after tucking their children into bed.
"I always knew they would," she confessed. "There was something about the two of them, Sully. I don't know what it was, but I was sure they would be together."
"I know what ya mean," he agreed. "Ever since they rode inta this town back in the Spring, I saw it, too."
"It's as if they were destined to be together, no matter what else, or who else, got in their way," she mused.
"Kinda remind ya of another couple, Mrs. Sully?" he teased, looking at her reflection in her mirror on her dressing table.
"I haven't any idea to what you're referring, Mr. Sully," she teased in return.
"Well, I know of another lady who was sure set on makin' life difficult for the man she loved, even though she wouldn't admit it. He loved her, too, but she wouldn't let ‘im show it."
"Wouldn't let him? As I remember, he wasn't ready to admit his feelings to her, even though she knew he loved her," she turned it around.
"Maybe, but she sure didn't make it any easier on him, playin' hard to get, and wantin' to talk all the time, carryin' on with them other fellas even when he was courtin' her."
"Well, maybe she did that because she wanted him to make a commitment to her. Maybe she wanted to see if he was serious in his intentions."
"He shouldn't have to prove anythin'. Just sayin' what he felt should've been enough."
"Yes, but actions speak louder than words," she returned.
"The right actions, at least," he agreed and turned her around to face him, placing her brush on her dressing table. He reached up and cupped her chin in his hand and drew her face towards his, pausing to look her in the eyes. "Whaddya say we help that couple along a bit with makin' up their minds?" he suggested, huskily.
She smiled. "I think that's an excellent idea," she agreed, parting her lips and wetting them in anticipation of his kiss she knew would come.
He didn't disappoint her, covering her mouth with his and standing, drawing her up with him. They both became very involved in the kiss, and Sully lifted her up to meet his lips more securely. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bed, never breaking their kiss. He had already pulled down the covers when he entered the room, so he laid her down on the mattress, leaning her back against the pillows and reclining next to her.
His shoes and shirt came off in a matter of seconds, and he turned out the lamp, pulling the covers over them both. Michaela smiled at his face, illuminated in the moonlight.
"I'd say, we've definitely made up our minds and are off to a very good start," she said.
Sully smiled, covering her lips with his own again, causing all further thoughts to flee from their minds, save each other and the love they shared.
Epilogue
*****
1875
* January 5, Clay County, Missouri - Samuel home, Pinkertons throw flare into home to capture James brothers, Dr. Samuel throws flare into fireplace where it explodes killing Archie Samuel, Jessie's half-brother and blows off Mrs. Samuel's right arm, Jessie's mother, brothers escape.
* January 19th, Hartford, Connecticut - William Mason receives patent number 158,957 the last patent to cover the Colt Peacemaker revolver.
* March 3, Washington, D.C. - Congress passes a homestead law for desert land in Lassen County, California, the law extends the provision of the Homestead Act of 1862 by granting individuals the right to own four times more land and the law also liberalizes absentee ownership requirements.
*April 12, Clay Country, Missouri - Daniel H. Askew, a local farmer, is suspected of housing a Pinkerton detective to spy on the James farm, Askew is ambushed and killed and his wife sees three men ride off whom she suspects as Jesse and Frank James and Clelland "Clell" Miller.
* April 21, Wichita, Kansas - Wyatt Earp becomes policeman but is later fired for failure to turn over fines from prostitutes, later he and Morgan Earp are run out of town.
* May 11, Georgetown, Colorado - Diamond Joe Reynolds, William B. Jacobs and James B. Corneille put together an outfit of mules in a pack train to carry camping supplies and start for the Black Hills, Judge James Gunn catches up with them in Cheyenne and Richard Irwin later joins them and is made recorder of the newly-organized Jenny Mining District on French Creek near Custer, South Dakota.
*****
"Will you stop movin' around," Anabel commanded, trying to arrange Kat's wedding gown to see if it fit properly.
"She's nervous, Anabel,"Carolyn laughed. "Wouldn't you be if you were marryin' Ben Holbrook?" Anabel laughed along with her.
"Now just what it that supposed to mean?" Kat demanded, hands on her hips.
"Nothin', honey," Anabel assured her. "It's just that with a man like Ben, you're sure to have a good time!" She let out a low whistle.
"The way he handles a horse and the command of presence he has, life sure won't be boring!" Carolyn added.
Kat blushed at what they were inferring, but smiled all the same, knowing that she had thought the same things ever since they had set a date for their wedding.
"Of course, no man can compare to life with Hank. Now there's a man worth his salt! There ain't a day that goes by where I ever regret askin' him to marry me!" Anabel laughed. "I'm sure glad you're gettin' a man just as good, Kat."
"Anabel! You're embarrassin' her! You know," Carolyn turned to Katherine, changing the subject, "I think it's real sweet of you two to invite Dr. Mike and Sully to join with you in your weddin'. It's not exactly their anniversary, but close enough, and I know they appreciate you sharin' your special day with them."
"Well, they're renewing their vows, a very romantic thing in my mind, and since this day is going to be the most romantic ever, how could I turn them down?"
"One couple is just starting out, and another is starting all over again," Carolyn mused. "It will certainly be a day to remember."
"Before we go, I want to tell you both how much I appreciate your love and friendship. It's been hard enough being without my family and friends from back home, but I wired them to tell them about my marrying Ben, and even though they couldn't be here, they send their love. I don't know what I would have done without the two of you to help me this past year. I know my life is going to change after today, but I hope we will remain friends for a long time."
"Well, you don't have much of a choice with me, Kat," Anabel laughed. "We *are* family, and you're stuck with me!"
"And I know how you feel being in a new place. I don't know if I could have managed without my family here with me, and now that I'm a mother, I appreciate them being here all the more." Her son had been born not long after the new year began and was already crawling all over the place. "I'm thankful that we became friends, and I know we'll remain so for years to come!"
The three women embraced, and Kat sighed as she walked out the door to face her new future.
"Ma!" Colleen chided her mother. "You're actin' like a schoolgirl who's goin' to her first dance with a boy, not a woman who's been married for five years. Will you stop pacing! You're makin' *me* nervous," Colleen laughed.
"I'm sorry, Colleen. I just want everything to be perfect."
"It will be, don't you worry. You're renewin' your vows, how much more perfect can you get?"
"Do you think we're foolish, Colleen?" Michaela asked, hesitation in her voice.
"Now why would you think that?"
"Well, you don't see many couples getting married again, after they've gone through it once already. Do you think we're just trying to get back our youth or the time we lost in not getting married sooner?"
"Of course not!" Colleen assured her. "Ma, you and Sully have a wonderful and loving relationship. I have never seen a man more devoted to his wife, except Andrew, of course," she added and blushed. "I think it's romantic that you're both willin' to do it all over again, showin' everyone how much in love the both of you are and that you're as committed to each other now as you were the day you began your relationship."
"Thank you, Colleen," Michaela embraced her daughter. "That really means a lot. I'm also very happy to hear that you and Andrew are doing so well."
"Well, we are, and he's been a lot of help to me this past year with medical college. I don't know what I would have done without him. And we have you and Sully to thank for it."
"Who were we to stand in the way of true love?" she smiled. She walked over to where her wedding gown hung and touched the soft satiny material, remembering a day not too long ago when she wore this gown for the first time.
"So, are we ready?"
Michaela smiled and sighed. "Ready as I'll ever be!" she replied and allowed Colleen to help her prepare.
Sully clapped Ben on the back. "Ready ta tie the knot?"
"I should be askin' you the same question," Ben laughed, adjusting his bowtie.
"Yeah, but I been through this before, remember? This ain't the first time for me and Michaela."
"I know, and truth is, I'm glad to be sharin' this day with you both," Ben admitted, still trying to get his tie straight. "And another thing, I really envy you bein' able to wear the shirt you're wearin'. Sure makes gettin' dressed a lot easier," he sighed and tried one more time, this time successfully.
"Well, seein's how I wore this when Michaela and me first got married, I figured it wouldn't be the same wearin' somethin' else. ‘Sides, I ain't too fond of them monkey suits!" Sully laughed.
"I know what you mean. All this fuss over a wedding! Why can't we just go see the Reverend, get it over with and be on our honeymoon?"
"Now, ya know well's I do that the women wouldn't let us get away with that. And, remember. You'll be spendin' the rest of your life with this woman. It ain't too much of a sacrifice ta do this day up right, the way she likes it."
"I know. I just hope it goes by fast!" Ben said and laughed.
"Well, you're marryin' a beautiful woman, inside and out, and you're a lucky man," Sully intoned.
"So are you! I only hope Kat and me have the same kind of relationship as you and Dr. Mike in five years. Lord knows I've waited long enough for her!"
"Better get used ta that!" Sully counseled. "Women love makin' a man wait. It's in their nature. But, there's nothin' sayin' two can't play at that game. That's where ya gotta be ready with surprises ta catch her off guard and little things that don't seem so important to you, but they mean the world to her. Don't go gettin' set in your ways with a pattern of livin'. That only spells disaster. Make sure ta keep it interestin' and keep her guessin'."
"Thanks, Sully. Not havin' a father around to give me advice on a day like this, I really appreciate your help, even if you're not old enough to play the part," he grinned.
"Sure thing, Ben," Sully stated, clasping Ben's hand in a meaningful handshake. "Now, let's get movin'."
Everyone in town turned out for the wedding of the two couples. The meadow was decorated with beautiful flowers and white-cloth-covered benches, which were now full with wedding guests.. A lattice-work panel set apart the area where the two couples would exchange their vows, and a sheet of white stretched down the aisle.
Elizabeth Johnson, the Reverend's wife, sat at the piano playing music to supplement the event. Several heads turned as four-year-old Katie and her toddling sister, Marjorie, the two flower girls, walked down the aisle, Katie helping her little sister with the flower petals she was supposed to be throwing. Marjorie grabbed a handful and threw them at the nearest person, making a rumble of laughter pass through the crowd. Following them were the groomsmen, each escorting a bridesmaid. Along with Matthew and Robert E as best men, and Anabel and Grace as matrons of honor, the two grooms stood at the altar, awaiting their brides.
The wedding music played, and everyone turned around to see Loren escorting the two brides down the aisle. As the unofficial town father, he was proud to be playing this part in absence of their own fathers. He delivered the two women to the two grooms and sat down after giving them away. The ceremony progressed and time finally came for the end.
"You may now kiss your brides," the Reverend permitted.
Ben turned to Kat and lifted her veil, staring with wonder at the beautiful woman who was now his wife. He sent a prayer of thanks to God for giving him this special treasure to love and cherish for the rest of his life. He couldn't imagine a future more bright. He lifted her chin with his fingertips and drew her mouth to his, sealing his vows with a kiss full of all the love and joy that he felt, realizing that she returned the kiss with as much feeling.
Sully turned to Michaela, lifting her veil, his eyes communicating to her that this was not a renewal of their vows, but the first time in his heart. Even though they missed having their best friends there, they knew they had their blessing. In their eyes, they told one another that their love had withstood the test of time and would last forever. As his lips covered hers, they sealed their vows again, adding a new promise to share for all eternity.
"I now present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Holbrook, and for the second time, Mr. and Mrs. Byron Sully," the Reverend smiled and the guests clapped and laughed, celebrating in the joy of the two couples standing before them.
Not long after, the two wagons which would take the newlyweds to their honeymoon destinations, Ben and Kat to their new home and Mike and Sully to the train returning to Denver where they spent their first honeymoon, were filled with the presents and ready to go. Sully and Ben each helped their brides into the wagon, climbing up beside them and taking the reins. Ben leaned down and kissed Kat, smiling with love in his eyes. Amid rice and flower petals and many congratulations from their friends, the two wagons were led off down the road.
Ben pulled their wagon up in front of their new home and helped Kat down from the seat. He swung her into his arms and carried her up the few steps and over the threshold, kissing his wife for the first time inside their home. He set her down and pulled her to him, cradling her in his arms.
"Kat, I've waited for this day for many years, and I thank God it's finally here. You and I have been through so much, but our love has brought us through, and I know it will keep us through whatever the future holds."
"It won't be easy, I know, but we have each other to lean on and help the other when times get tough."
"I promise that I'll be a good husband to you, Kat, and a good father to the children that bless our lives. I promise to love and honor and protect you until the day I die," he vowed.
"I promise to be a good wife to you, Ben, and a good mother to our children. I promise to love, honor, and obey you for as long as I live," she echoed.
"Well, I ain't so sure about the 'obey' part, but I believe ya on the rest." He grinned at her blush, then turned serious again. "Together, we can make it through whatever life throws our way. God has shined His light down on us, and we were destined to be together."
"Thank you, Ben," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For showing me that dreams do come true, after all, if you have faith to believe in them and keep trying."
He lifted her lips to meet his, wrapping her in his arms and embracing her with his love. Together, they would walk the roads of life and love one another through eternity.
In the private car on the train, a gift from Matthew, Carolyn, Andrew and Colleen, Sully drew his wife into his arms. "Have I ever told ya how proud I am to have ya for my wife?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
"About as many times as I've told you how proud I am to have you for my husband," Michaela replied.
"I showed ya today that I'd marry ya all over again, and I don't regret one moment of our lives together."
"We've had our share of troubles, but our love has pulled us through. You showed me the way to open my heart and mind to new things and to what it's like loving you and being loved by you. Now, we have two little girls and three other children with whom to share our love and our legacy. I know now that I could never have survived without you," she told him, tears in her eyes.
"And I woulda never made it without you," he echoed. "You, who showed me how ta love again. You, who gave me a reason to live. You, who gave us our two beautiful daughters. And you, who formed the other half of me, making me whole. My life wasn't complete until I met you, and I thank the Spirits for bringing us together."
"The past eight years have been the best of my life. All of my dreams have come true in you, and I wouldn't change one moment of them for anything in the world. I love you, Sully," she whispered.
"And I love you, Michaela, for the rest of my life," he returned, covering her lips with his own and pouring his feelings into his kiss.
THE END
** Author's Note - All real historical events taken from, "American West: An Historical Chronology," written by Keith Cochran, copyright 1992.