The Legacy Read online

  “I saw a fence back here with a small ravine behind it. It’ll be perfect.” Nicky pointed at a crooked wooden fence. “We’ll set up the targets and get shooting.”

  Rosalyn had been excited to learn how to shoot, but now she felt a bit nervous. She could use a knife or a stick to defend herself. They were handy weapons anyone could use. A pistol was a different story altogether.

  Nicky pulled the pistol from the left holster and handed it butt first to Rosalyn. She stared at the pearl handle, uncertain and annoyed with herself for feeling that way.

  “Go on, take it. It won’t bite, I promise.” Nicky chuckled.

  Rosalyn took the gun, surprised at how heavy it was. The smell of oil and gunpowder tickled her nose.

  “Hold it like this with your thumb wrapped around this side and your fingers around the other.” Nicky demonstrated with her other pistol. “Keep your index finger near the trigger, without touching it. These were modified to have a very easy trigger. Don’t need you shooting me before we start.”

  After they both laughed, Rosalyn moved her hand around to grip the pistol as Nicky told her to.

  “The key is to keep your elbow slightly bent. If you keep it stiff, the kickback will knock you on your ass.” Nicky turned toward the tin cans on the fence. “Now, hold it out straight like this, keep your elbow bent.”

  Rosalyn held the gun out, pointing it at the cans, her arm shaking from the weight of the iron. How did Nicky hold it without difficulty?

  “Don’t worry, it gets easier. You build up your muscles to hold the weight, balancing it so your arms don’t get sore.” Nicky turned her body so she was angled to the left. “Protect yourself as best you can by keeping yourself at an angle. Nothing like a full chest target to tempt someone to kill you.”

  Rosalyn turned her body to match Nicky’s, the bubble of excitement dancing in her stomach again.

  “Now, the first target is the can on the far right. Close your left eye and sight down the center of the pistol at the can.” Nicky’s voice was low. “Steady your arm a bit.”

  A calm settled over Rosalyn as she stared at the tin can, focusing everything on the empty can of peaches. The gun still felt awkward in her hands, but it was beginning to feel like it belonged there.

  “Now, slowly pull your finger back and when you’re ready, squeeze the trigger. Don’t jerk it or you’ll end up on your ass wondering how you shot down that hawk.” Nicky glanced at her. “Pretend that’s Shep Seeger.”

  After an initial spurt of rage, a dead calm washed over Rosalyn as she stared at the can. Everything around her faded, including the twittering birds and buzzing insects. Her breath eased in and out and her heart beat a steady tattoo.

  “Go on, Rosie. Shoot.”

  Rosalyn squeezed the trigger. The power of the bullet sent her stumbling backwards with a roar in her ears as the smell of the spent powder filled her nose. She coughed and wiped her eyes. Who knew shooting a gun could be so exciting?

  “Did I get it?”

  Nicky laughed. “No, but you did nick the fence.”

  Rosalyn whooped, a huge grin on her face. “Let’s do it again.”

  “She’s what?”

  Noah looked out behind the restaurant and heard the far-off sounds of gunfire. Target shooting to be sure, and it was his mother and his woman?

  “Did you say my mother was teaching Rosalyn how to shoot?” He turned back to Elsa, his stomach taking residence near his heart.

  “That’s what I said, Sheriff. Ain’t nothing wrong with a woman knowing how to shoot a gun. Your ma is dang fast with those things too. Whooeee, she could give many a man a run for their money.” Elsa grinned. “I like your ma a lot.”

  Noah shook his head and wondered if his life would ever be normal. He met his father’s resigned gaze over the rim of the coffee mug.

  “You’ve got to take it all, son. All or nothing with a woman like that.” Noah knew being married to the dark-haired waif would be nothing if not interesting. Protecting herself was important, but he hated to think she was learning to shoot because of the fire, because he hadn’t kept her safe. He could and would protect her, even with his life. Rosalyn shouldn’t need to know how to shoot.

  Thirty minutes later, after Noah had nearly worn a hole in the floor, Rosalyn returned with Nicky. They blew into the kitchen with huge smiles on their faces and the scent of gunpowder around them. One look at Rosalyn’s face and all of Noah’s worries went away on a breeze. Her short black hair stuck up every which way and she had gunpowder on her nose. She’d never looked more alive or more beautiful.

  He cupped her face and kissed her hard. “You need a set of pistols now?”

  “Oh, I’d love some.” She glanced at Nicky, her grin even wider. “That would be wonderful.”

  Noah laughed and hugged her close. The smell of outdoors, guns and woman washed over him. Lord he loved her.

  Nicky patted her holsters. “Your lady is a natural. Within five minutes, she was taking down every one of those cans.”

  “I’m not surprised. Rosie is something special,” Noah boasted, still trying to overcome the idea that his woman had learned how to shoot a pistol. From his mother.

  “I love it. Don’t know why I didn’t do it before now.” Rosalyn eyed Nicky’s pistols with envy. “I understand now why every woman should learn how to shoot.”

  Tyler raised his eyes heavenward. “Magpie, it’s a good thing I love you.”

  Nicky waggled her eyebrows. “You’ve got that backwards, bounty hunter.”

  Tyler swatted at his wife’s backside. “You’re gonna embarrass your son if you keep that up.”

  “He’s seen worse.” Nicky kissed Tyler with a resounding smack. Her expression turned serious when she stared into her husband’s gaze. They could always figure out what the other was thinking. “What did we miss?”

  “Mark is waiting for us upstairs,” Tyler said. “It’s time.”

  After a quick kiss on Rosalyn’s forehead, Noah followed his father upstairs to the room he’d been staying in. It had been mighty hard to keep his distance from Rosalyn the last ten days. He’d wanted nothing more than to crawl into her bed and hold her close. However, with General Elsa watching, that had proved impossible.

  Before he lost his nerve, he told himself that he’d visit Rosalyn come hell or high water that night. Tomorrow was the day they were laying their trap. He didn’t want to die without being with her again.

  Mark, his mother and Finley waited for Noah and his father in the small bedroom. With the three big men crowded together, there was hardly enough room to break wind. Finley looked anxious as his gaze darted around the room.

  “Mr. Finley, thank you for being here. These are my parents, Tyler and Nicky Calhoun, and a friend and U.S. Marshal, Mark Jackman.” Noah gestured to each person as he introduced them. “We’re all here to help you.”

  Finley shook hands with everyone then wiped his shaking hands on his pants. “Thank you for helping me. I don’t know where to turn. The sheriff, he say he’ll help me, but then I hear other things too.”

  “I know you’ve already been through a lot.” Noah patted his shoulder.

  “After tomorrow, you should have no more problems with your land or your herd.”

  “Ya, that would be good.” Finley’s eyebrows knitted together. “I heard you were almost dead. You look good to me. What is this plan you talk about?”

  “Here’s how we’ll do this. Send a note to Seeger and Dickinson, a threatening note. Tell them you know what they’ve been up to, that you found evidence linking them to the death of a man named Spiegel.” Noah knew that name would get their attention. “He disappeared about ten years ago and his herd was sold off by those sons of bitches.”

  Finley’s blue eyes widened with fear. “They kill him?”

  “I don’t know if they did or not, but that’s what started this whole war between the cattle ranchers and the sheep ranchers in Chancetown. Have them meet you in your barn at eight.�
� He glanced at his parents and his friend. “We’ll be there in the loft and around in the stalls, waiting. All we need you to do is get them to confess to being behind all your troubles. Tell them you’ll leave if they pay you five thousand dollars.”

  Finley whistled. “That’s a lot of money, Sheriff. Why would they do this?”

  “They won’t, but they will try and call your bluff. Then you let them know you have evidence to back it up. Don’t worry, Mr. Finley. We won’t let anything happen to you,” Noah said with conviction. He wasn’t about to let those bullies get away with any more.

  “Okay, I do it. You help me with the note, ya?” Finley looked determined, yet still a little scared.

  Noah was scared too, quaking in his boots, but he’d be damned if he let this opportunity slip through his fingers. They didn’t have many chances to catch these men at their dirty games. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, it would all be over.

  Noah would either be dead or he’d truly be the sheriff of Chancetown.

  ———

  Noah had two hours before they were headed to Finley’s ranch. Two hours to seduce Rosalyn and imprint their passion on his skin to carry with him into battle.

  Shadows cloaked the hallway as he crept to Rosalyn’s room in his stockinged feet. He kept to the side, avoiding the oft-used boards in the middle. By the time he made it to her door, he had sweated enough to need another bath. He felt like a little kid sneaking to the kitchen for a cookie.

  Only this cookie was a living, breathing goddess who owned his heart.

  He didn’t knock, but merely opened the door and squeezed through, closing it behind him. Rosalyn lay on the bed with the moonlight dancing across her white chemise, leaving her black hair like ink in the darkness.

  “Noah?” she whispered. “Am I dreaming or is that really you?”

  His hands shook with the feelings zinging around inside him. He wanted to do everything perfect, to show her how much he loved her. That is, provided he didn’t trip like a fool before he even got to the bed.

  “It’s me.” He moved to the bed and sat beside her. His thumb grazed her soft cheek. “I miss you.”

  She nuzzled his hand. “I miss you too.”

  His heart thumped with a rhythm that couldn’t be ignored. Rosalyn reminded him that he was a man in love, and he tried his best to slow down. Helpless to resist his body’s urging, Noah leaned down and captured her lips. Sweet, slow kisses led to gasps for air. Soon he had laid down beside her and pulled her close. Damn, he’d never been so hard in his life.

  As her body cradled him, he caressed her back with a soft touch, mindful of the injuries she’d suffered during the fire. She made little noises of pleasure into his mouth and he swallowed them, eager to please and be pleasured, full of love.

  She cupped him, squeezing gently, making him shudder with longing.

  Ten days seemed like a lifetime at that moment. He needed her around him, with him and against him. His heart almost burst with love for the woman in his arms. She sat up and pulled off her chemise, baring her ample breasts to him, the nipples tight and tempting, making his pulse notch up even higher.

  “Noah, I want to do something.”

  Rosalyn looked him in the eye, her hand on his britches, silently asking permission. She knew what that man had done to him and he knew she wanted to be certain that no one ever forced him to do anything again. He unbuttoned the first button for her, a welling of love mixed with trepidation racing through him.

  It was his gift and it was only meant for Rosalyn. After she stripped off his pants, she ran her hands up his legs, sending shivers along his body. His muscles bunched beneath her and she moved slowly, allowing him to decide.

  When her mouth touched him, he almost jumped off the bed. Noah focused on the fact that it was Rosalyn. He breathed in her scent, telling himself to relax. He loved her and that was all that mattered.

  After a moment, her tongue tickled him from top to bottom. Shafts of pleasure replaced the tang of fear. She kept her hand wrapped around the base while her mouth traveled up and down. Her other hand slid between her thighs to pleasure herself. As her fingers worked their magic on her own flesh, her mouth and tongue pleasured his.

  Noah floated on a sea of ecstasy that only Rosalyn could create. She sucked him faster as her hand moved in unison with her mouth. Her release must have hit her by surprise. The power of it made her teeth graze him, sending a shock of pleasure through him. Noah shouted and she eased her mouth open.

  “Oh God, I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not. I’ve never felt anything so amazing in my life.” He met her gaze, his heart in his eyes. “I love you, Rosie.”

  He gently pushed her shoulders until she lay beside him. Noah rose above her, nudging her knees open until his throbbing dick almost touched her heated pussy.

  “Please,” she whispered hoarsely.

  Noah sank in slowly, enjoying each inch of her flesh as it surrounded him. Heaven would never be as wonderful as being with the woman he loved. By the time he’d sunk into her completely, they were both panting with need.

  He required no encouragement to move. She rose to meet each thrust, faster and harder, each time deeper than the last. Rosalyn clawed at his back, pulling him to her. Her nipples rasped against his chest hair, making them harder and tempting him to capture one in his mouth. As he sucked and nibbled at her, she bit his shoulder and whispered his name.

  All too soon, Noah felt his release building. He knew he wouldn’t be long and he wanted Rosalyn to feel her own. Bracing himself with one hand, he reached between them and pinched her clit as he thrust deep within her.

  She cried out and wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him within her. A wave crashed over him, sucking him into the wild waters of the orgasm that ripped through him. Rosalyn bucked beneath him, swimming in her own wave. Together they hung on, absorbing the ripples of bliss and holding the one person in the world they loved.

  Noah leaned his head on her shoulder and tried to catch his breath. He’d known making love was going to be amazing, but he hadn’t known it would make him as weak as a newborn colt.

  “Sweet Jesus.”

  “Nope, just me.” She pinched his behind. “Much as I like you on top of me, you’re squishing me.”

  “I’m sorry, Rosie.” He rolled off her, pulling her spoon-style against him.

  The scent of sex filled the room and he inhaled deeply, savoring the musky after tones of their lovemaking. Within ten minutes, Rosalyn fell asleep. Noah lay there for another hour, simply holding her and taking in all he could of her essence.

  It was nearly time to go to Finley’s. He certainly didn’t want to leave his woman’s warm bed, with her sleepy soft body tucked next to his. However, if he wanted a future, he had to put the past to rest. With a heavy heart, he climbed out of bed and gently kissed her cheek. By the time she figured out where he’d gone, it would all be over. It was for the best not to tell her. Noah didn’t want Rosalyn to be hurt again.

  ———

  Noah, Tyler, Nicky and Mark met downstairs behind the restaurant and silently retrieved their horses from the shed. They didn’t want anyone to see them or hear them, so stealth was key. With nary a sound to give them away, they saddled the horses and led them out of the barn. No one was about as they mounted and headed down the street. Everyone wore dark colors without any shiny dangles or spurs to give them away.

  It was about two hours before sunrise, enough time to ride out to Finley’s and set the trap. Noah hoped Finley had already placed the bait. As they rode out of town at a slow walk, Noah decided he had one stop to make. One more chance to right a wrong. He sidled up close enough to his father to whisper.

  “There’s someone I have to go see. He’s on the way.” Noah couldn’t see Tyler’s expression in the gloom.

  “You want to see Boyton.”

  Uncanny how he always seemed to know what Noah was thinking.

  “Yes, I think he wants to help us, but he�
��s a scared old man.” Noah remembered how fear had lurked behind Boyton’s eyes. “What do you think?”

  “I don’t know the man, but if you think it’s worth it, we’ll stop. You’re pretty good at being a sheriff.” Tyler cleared his throat. “I think my pa would be mighty proud that a grandson of his followed in his footsteps.”

  It was the first time his father had deferred to Noah’s judgment. As his heart and pride swelled, Noah felt about ten feet high.

  “Thanks, Pa.” He sat up tall in the saddle, determination making his spine straight and his jaw tight. Boyton had no idea what he was in for.

  It was a quiet ride out to Boyton’s farm. Nothing stirred except the night creatures around them. It was almost peaceful if he discounted the cries of the field mice as they fell victim to snakes and birds of prey. Nature was full of survivors, it was kill or be killed. Noah had finally been able to reconcile that with his own nature. Fate hadn’t been kind to him for the first half of his life. Soon, he might be able to overcome the wounds he’d suffered and become the man he knew he could be.

  A light burned in Johnny’s cabin. The four riders hadn’t made a noise, and Noah wondered if someone had warned Johnny about what they were planning.

  Noah signaled to his parents and Mark to stay put. With his heart thumping, he dismounted and crept to the door. He pressed his ear to the scarred wood door, waiting for some kind of sign that Boyton was in there. The faint sound of a rocking chair came to him. Noah knocked with just one knuckle, low enough that only someone listening for a noise would hear it.

  “Who’s there?” Johnny called in a shaky voice.

  “It’s Calhoun.” For the first time in his life, his last name didn’t feel like a square peg in a round hole. It fit perfectly and he was damn glad to have it.

  “What do you want?”

  “I want to talk to you, Johnny, not the door.” He tried the knob but it didn’t budge. Boyton was no fool—he knew something was happening and had prepared for it.