He follows Sterling without being seen and kicks his horse into a gallop to catch up to him.
Sterling turns, expecting to see someone he knows but isn’t prepared when the stranger fires a gun at him.
The sound of the gun startles his horse in to a full run, causing his attackers bullet to go wide of its mark. Pain explodes through his upper body and he slumps over, holding on for dear life.
Sterling leans low and pulls his own pistol, ignoring the warm gush of blood pouring down his arm. He fires back at the stranger and he kicks his horse urging him to run harder. The second bullet grazes his temple and as the darkness takes him, he prays for help.
Marcus watches the man fall over on his horse and grins when his pistol falls to the ground. He’ll bleed out before he gets to town, he thinks.
“That’s one. Now back to Mrs. Gilbert and the brat.”
He turns around and kicks the horse back towards the farm.
Chapter 58
“Good Morning, Mama,” Abbie says as she walks into the kitchen. The sun is just rising, and she is bouncing a fussy baby.
“Let me take her and you make the bottle.”
“Thank you. I need coffee,” she mumbles and quickly makes the bottle.
“I’ll feed her, you grab a cup of coffee,” her mother offers. Abbie smiles and helps settle her mother in the rocker next to the fireplace.
“Thanks, Mama, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” She looks down lovingly at the baby and runs a hand over her curls. “Abbs could you get some eggs from the coop?” her mother asks as she rocks the baby.
“Of course,” she nods and hurries back to the kitchen.
She pours a cup of coffee and remembers to grab her wrap from the bedroom upstairs. Leaving her cup, she rushes quietly along the hallway only to bump into Tucker coming from his room.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he says with a smile.
“Tucker,” she smiles and tries to step around him, but he pulls her into his arms.
He kisses her softly and she melts into his embrace. “That’s better than coffee, any day,” she murmurs, and he laughs softly.
“I agree, Abbilene we need to talk, but I haven’t been able to get you alone for a second.”
“I know, we will be out of your hair on Monday, Tucker. You’ve been so kind and generous to let us stay here,”
Tucker covers her mouth with his hand. “No. Hear me out,” he removes his hand and her heart falls to her stomach. “You’ve healed parts of my heart that I didn’t even know were broken.”
She turns to leave but Tucker is expecting that reaction. Her beautiful eyes fly open wide as he takes her hand and pulls her from the room into a bedroom across the hall and shuts the door.
“Tucker!” she knows the moment they enter that it’s his personal bedroom.
“I have some things I need to say to you before everything gets muddled, Abbilene.” He pulls her to him and presses a soft kiss to her surprised mouth.
“Abbilene, I love you and I want to marry you. I want to be a father to your children and the husband you deserve. I promise to cherish them and love you all until my last breath.”
Abbie’s heart breaks, “I can’t,” she pulls away from him and backs up when he tries to touch her. “You don’t understand, I’m broken Tucker. I’ve watched you with the children these past few days and you would, No, will make an amazing father! You deserve that with someone. I can’t have children.”
“I don’t care about that, Abbie. I don’t want someone else. I want you, dammit!” he declares.
“I’m sorry, I can’t be with you and watch the love and friendship turn to resentment again. Don’t you understand? It would kill me.” Tears stream down her cheeks and she rushes from the room leaving him behind.
Abbie runs through the kitchen and out the back door, towards the chicken coops behind the barn. “It’s time to go home, Abbilene,” she murmurs wiping her eyes with her sleeve and grabs a basket next to the coop.
“Can I help?” Mason asks from behind her.
“Mason! What are you doing up so early?” she asks.
“I wanted to see the ponies,” Mason says.
“I’d love some help,” Abbie replies, “But next time don’t leave the house without letting someone know. Okay?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He eyes the chickens warily and frowns. “Will they bite me?” he asks as he follows her inside the coop.
“No, they only want to eat and run around.” Abbie pushes a hand under the chicken, laughing when it squawks indignantly.
“You are fine,” Abbie teases the chicken and watches proudly as Mason copies her. He holds up his treasure and grins proudly.
“Look, Mama, I did it!”
Abbie gasps and covers her mouth with her hand. “You called me, Mama,” she whispers.
“I’m sorry,” Mason drops his head sadly.
Abbie drops the basket and squats down, “Mason, I would love for you to call me Mama,” she declares.
Mason throws himself at her and she laughs, raining kisses all over his face while he giggles.
“Stop, Mama, that’s gross!” he shouts.
“Gross!” she tickles him, laughing until a shadow blocks the entrance to the coop.
“Isn’t that just sweet,” a deep voice says and Abbie’s heart stutters.
She stands swiftly and drags Mason behind her, while Marcus Hayden steps further inside, causing Abbie to glance around for help.
“I’d think twice about that, Mrs. Gilbert,” he snarls and cocks his pistol. “I can shoot you both before help comes. Is that what you want?” he asks.
“No,” she whispers and fights to keep Mason behind her. “What do you want?”
“What do I want! I want you to pay for ruining my
