Paden’s voice came from behind her. “He’s goading you. Just ignore him.”
Garrett chuckled dryly. “You must be her husband,” he said, turning his knowing gaze toward Paden. “I was surprised when I heard that our Rosalie had gotten herself hitched.” He brought his hardened gaze back to her. “For so long, you have made it your mission to find me, and I was always one step ahead of you. It was the same way with your father. He was a failure, much like yourself.”
“Put down your gun, Rosie,” Paden ordered gently as he came to stand next to her. “Sheriff Walton will take him into custody.”
“No!” she shouted, her voice taking on a hard edge. “He deserves to die for what he did to my father. He is a murderer!”
“He is,” Paden agreed. “But we don’t dispatch justice. That’s not the Pinkerton way.”
“I am a bounty hunter,” she declared.
Sheriff Walton walked up next to Paden. “Let your wife kill Garrett. It would save us a lot of paperwork, and then we won’t have to worry about him trying to escape from prison again.”
“Don’t listen to the sheriff… or Garrett,” Paden said softly. “You are nothing like Garrett. He is an egotistical maniac that kills without remorse.”
Garrett ran his finger down his scar. “Did you tell your husband how you attacked me not so long ago and left me disfigured? You were lurking in the woods, waiting for your chance at revenge. It was a pathetic attempt, really. Your father would have been disappointed in you.”
“You will not talk about my father that way!” she exclaimed, gratified to see a glimmer of fear in Garrett’s eyes.
Sheriff Walton spoke up. “I see that you two have this situation under control. I am going to take Deputy Charlie, and we are going to round up the rest of the men in the woods.”
Rosalie saw from the corner of her eye that Paden’s mouth dropped open. It was clear that he did not support Sheriff Walton’s decision to walk away from this situation.
“I have hunted you for more than four years,” she shared. “I have seen the carnage you’ve left behind when your gang goes through a town.”
Garrett shrugged. “Because of you, my gang had to disband. It was safer for us to go off on our own, but I became tired of the sedentary lifestyle. I got myself a new gang.”
Rosalie’s finger itched to pull the trigger. If she killed him, then she would be doing everyone a favor.
Paden stepped closer to her, his voice holding a warning. “If you pull that trigger, there can be no future between us. The Rosie that I know is not a murderer.”
“But he deserves to die!” she shouted.
“He does,” Paden agreed. “What he has done is inexcusable, but do not let him take away your future. Do not let him have that control over you.”
Garrett scoffed. “How sweet. But your husband will never understand you like I do.”
“You know nothing about me,” she growled.
A cruel smile came to his lips. “How do you think you were able to track me and my men over the years? You had to think like us, act like us. You just don’t want to admit that you became one of us.”
Rosalie wanted to shoot Bill Garrett. She wanted him to stop talking. He deserved to die! Why did Paden not understand that? If she killed Garrett, then she would finally be able to be with him, without the burdens of her past. She would be free to love him… without restraint.
“Rosie, it’s over. You caught him,” Paden said. “Let’s go home.”
Home. Tears came to her eyes. She wanted to go home. She had done what she had started out to do, and he was right. It was time for her to let this hatred out of her heart. To start over… with Paden. And if she killed Garrett then she would lose him forever. It was time for her to choose her husband over vengeance. It was time for her to take back her life.
“Bill Garrett,” she began, “you are under arrest for the murder of Sheriff Addis, Sarah Parks, Timmy Walters, Ralph Neeter…” As she listed all the names of the people that were killed that fateful day, she felt her burdens lifting off her shoulders. She had obtained justice for them too.
Paden went and tied Garrett’s hands with twine behind his back, then started leading him toward the meadow where Sheriff Walton, Deputy Charlie, Emeline, and the restrained criminals had assembled.
Sheriff Walton watched them approach and gave her a knowing smile. “I knew you wouldn’t kill him, Agent Brooks.”
“I wasn’t as confident as you,” she admitted, her steps faltering.
He walked closer to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “You are an honorable person, just like your father was, and I would trust you with my life. I wanted you to work that out on your own.”
“Thank you, sheriff,” she replied, her voice hitching with emotion. “I miss my father.”
“As well as you should,” he said, nodding. “Your father would have been proud of what you did today, and the restraint you showed with Garrett.” He smiled. “I probably would have at least shot him in the knee to prevent him from escaping.”
Paden shoved Garrett toward Sheriff Walton. “It is my turn to talk to my wife,” he proclaimed, smiling. He walked up to her and cupped her cheeks. “You were magnificent, my love.”
“Thank you for believing in me.”
Lowering his forehead to hers, he replied, “You finally chose me.”
“I did.” Tears came to her eyes. “I love you, Paden. I am so sorry for everything. I’m sorry…”
Her words
